Stop 6: Foxes

Foxes are mostly nocturnal. After dusk, they will be out scavenging alone for any food they can find including insects and worms. During the day, they will rest  in dens or undergrowth. They live together in family groups with one male dog, one female vixen, along with a few female ‘aunties’ from previous litters to help look after the cubs. The family have several lairs and one or more breeding dens within their territory. Females give birth to between four and seven cubs between March and May. At night in early spring, a black dog fox from the Stranmillis den can be heard calling along Cleaver Avenue, protecting his territory for his family. Foxes are very shy, but you might catch sight of one disappearing off into the undergrowth.

Activity:

Stop, close your eyes and sniff. If you smell a strong aniseed, liquorice smell, it could be the scent of a fox that has passed by here recently!