Fox-Conservation

The island fox is a near-threatened species.

Several fox species are endangered in their native environments. Pressures placed on foxes include
habitat loss and being hunted for pelts, other trade, or control.[25] Due in part to their opportunistic
hunting style and industriousness, foxes are commonly resented as nuisance animals.[26]
Contrastingly, foxes, while often considered pests themselves, have been successfully employed to
control pests on fruit farms while leaving the fruit intact.[27]

Island fox (Urocyon littoralis)

The island fox, though considered a near-threatened species throughout the world, is becoming
increasingly endangered in its endemic environment of the California Channel Islands.[28] A
population on an island is smaller than those on the mainland because of limited resources like space,
food and shelter.[29] Island populations are therefore highly susceptible to external threats ranging
from introduced predatory species and humans to extreme weather.[29]

On the California Channel Islands, it was found that the population of the island fox was so low due to
an outbreak of canine distemper virus from 1999 to 2000[30] as well as predation by non-native
golden eagles.[31] Since 1993, the eagles have caused the population to decline by as much as 95%.
[30] Because of the low number of foxes, the population went through an Allee effect (an effect in
which, at low enough densities, an individual's fitness decreases).[28] Conservationists had to take
healthy breeding pairs out of the wild population to breed them in captivity until they had enough
foxes to release back into the wild.[30] Nonnative grazers were also removed so that native plants
would be able to grow back to their natural height, thereby providing adequate cover and protection
for the foxes against golden eagles.[31]

Darwin's fox (Pseudalopex fulvipes)

Darwin's fox is considered critically endangered because of their small known population of 250
mature individuals as well as their restricted distribution.[32] On the Chilean mainland, the population
is limited to Nahuelbuta National Park and the surrounding Valdivian rainforest.[32] Similarly on
Chiloé Island, their population is limited to the forests that extend from the southernmost to the
northwesternmost part of the island.[32] Though the Nahuelbuta National Park is protected, 90% of
the species live on Chiloé Island.[33]

A major issue the species faces is their dwindling, limited habitat due to the cutting and burning of the
unprotected forests.[32] Because of deforestation, the Darwin's fox habitat is shrinking, allowing for
their competitor's (chilla fox) preferred habitat of open space, to increase; the Darwin's fox,
subsequently, is being outcompeted.[34] Another problem they face is their inability to fight off
diseases transmitted by the increasing number of pet dogs.[32] To conserve these animals,
researchers suggest the need for the forests that link the Nahuelbuta National Park to the coast of
Chile and in turn Chiloé Island and its forests, to be protected.[34] They also suggest that other forests
around Chile be examined to determine whether Darwin's foxes have previously existed there or can
live there in the future, should the need to reintroduce the species to those areas arise.[34] And
finally, the researchers advise for the creation of a captive breeding program, in Chile, because of the
limited number of mature individuals in the wild.[34]

Relationships with humans

A red fox on the porch of a house

Dead foxes in Carbunup

Foxes are often considered pests or nuisance creatures for their opportunistic attacks on poultry and
other small livestock. Fox attacks on humans are not common.[35] Many foxes adapt well to human
environments, with several species classified as "resident urban carnivores" for their ability to sustain
populations entirely within urban boundaries.[36] Foxes in urban areas can live longer and can have
smaller litter sizes than foxes in non-urban areas.[36] Urban foxes are ubiquitous in Europe, where
they show altered behaviors compared to non-urban foxes, including increased population density,
smaller territory, and pack foraging.[37] Foxes have been introduced in numerous locations, with
varying effects on indigenous flora and fauna.[38]

In some countries, foxes are major predators of rabbits and hens. Population oscillations of these two
species were the first nonlinear oscillation studied and led to the derivation of the Lotka–Volterra
equation.[39][40]

Fox hunting
Main article: Fox hunting
Fox hunting originated in the United Kingdom in the 16th century. Hunting with dogs is now banned in
the United Kingdom,[41][42][43][44] though hunting without dogs is still permitted. Red foxes were
introduced into Australia in the early 19th century for sport, and have since become widespread
through much of the country. They have caused population decline among many native species and
prey on livestock, especially new lambs.[45] Fox hunting is practiced as recreation in several other
countries including Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, United States and Australia.

Domestication

A tame fox in Talysarn, Wales

See also: Domesticated silver fox and Red fox § Taming and domestication
There are many records of domesticated red foxes and others, but rarely of sustained domestication.
A recent and notable exception is the Russian silver fox,[46] which resulted in visible and behavioral
changes, and is a case study of an animal population modeling according to human domestication
needs. The current group of domesticated silver foxes are the result of nearly fifty years of
experiments in the Soviet Union and Russia to domesticate the silver morph of the red fox. This
selective breeding resulted in physical and behavioral traits appearing that are frequently seen in
domestic cats, dogs, and other animals, such as pigmentation changes, floppy ears, and curly tails.[47]
Notably, the new foxes became more tame, allowing themselves to be petted, whimpering to get
attention and sniffing and licking their caretakers.[48]

Attacks on humans
Main article: Animal attack
In the United Kingdom, a number of cases of non-fatal attacks on humans have been reported. They
often involved children, or if there were gaps in homes through which foxes could pass.[49]

Urban foxes
See also: Red fox § Urban red foxes
Foxes are among the comparatively few mammals which have been able to adapt themselves to a
certain degree to living in urban (mostly suburban) human environments. Their omnivorous diet
allows them to survive on discarded food waste, and their skittish and often nocturnal nature means
that they are often able to avoid detection, despite their larger size.

Urban foxes have been identified as threats to cats and small dogs, and for this reason there is often
pressure to exclude them from these environments.[50]

The San Joaquin kit fox is a highly endangered species that has, ironically, become adapted to urban
living in the San Joaquin Valley and Salinas Valley of southern California. Its diet includes mice, ground
squirrels, rabbits, hares, bird eggs, and insects, and it has claimed habitats in open areas, golf courses,
drainage basins, and school grounds.[50]

In culture

Plate in the shape of two peaches depicting two foxes, Tang dynasty
Main article: Foxes in popular culture, films and literature
The fox appears in many cultures, usually in folklore. However, there are slight variations in their
depictions. In Western and Persian folklore, foxes are symbols of cunning and trickery—a reputation
derived especially from their reputed ability to evade hunters. This is usually represented as a
character possessing these traits. These traits are used on a wide variety of characters, either making
them a nuisance to the story, a misunderstood hero, or a devious villain.

In Asian folklore, foxes are depicted as familiar spirits possessing magic powers. Similar to in Western
folklore, foxes are portrayed as mischievous, usually tricking other people, with the ability to disguise
as an attractive female human. However, there are other depictions of foxes as mystical, sacred
creatures that can either bring wonder or ruin.[51] Nine-tailed foxes appear in Chinese folklore,
literature, and mythology, in which, depending on the tale, they can be a good or a bad omen.[52]
The motif was eventually introduced from Chinese to Japanese and Korean cultures.[53]

The constellation Vulpecula represents a fox.[