FOX numbers have remained static in Britain since records began.

Hunting makes no significant difference to fox numbers as was proved in the BSE crisis when hunting was stopped because of the risk of spreading the disease.

There are approximately a quarter of a million foxes in Britain. They regulate their own numbers in that if food and habitat is scarce, they do not produce large litters of cubs.

Wild foxes live about two years and when one fox dies, another younger animal will take over the vacant territory. Foxes are omnivores. They eat mainly rabbits and rodents, but they are also useful in clearing up road kill and leftovers thrown away by humans. They eat insects and worms and will take bird’s eggs and small birds if they are within reach.

In winter they are mostly vegetarian. A recent study shows that foxes do not kill enough livestock to be termed pests, and hunters do not kill enough foxes to be called pest controllers.

Most foxes are killed on the roads, and most farmers don’t see foxes as a threat at all.

PattiB (via website).