Are there too many foxes in urban areas? | |||
The number of foxes that can live in a given area depends mainly on the supply of food or availability of suitable sites for breeding dens. Fox populations are therefore self-regulating. | |||
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How many foxes are too many? The answer depends on our point of view.
Biological self-regulation Biologically speaking this issue does not arise. Fox populations do not grow indefinitely but level out on reaching a certain number. This maximum varies according to the habitat as it is determined by the availability of food, cover and suitable sites for raising cubs. Once the maximum number of foxes has been reached, the population regulates itself: fewer cubs are born or animals migrate to other areas. To avoid raising this peak level artificially we should stop feeding foxes ourselves (for more). Family groups: Social limits of growth Human settlements have proved to be attractive habitats. The highest fox densities have been recorded in towns and cities: In the 1980’s over 30 foxes per km² were living in Bristol (GB). In areas with such high density a kind of social regulation takes place: groups of foxes are formed including several adult animals. Only one vixen breeds. There are already family groups living in our urban areas, however, the maximum fox density has not yet been reached. This means there will be still more foxes. Sickness and disease as regulating mechanisms Another form of self-regulation is sickness or even disease. Illness can spread more rapidly in large populations where the animals can easily pass it on to each other. As a result, the large numbers are reduced. This was the case in the mid 1990’s in Great Britain with an outbreak of mange, an illness caused by mites. If we regard a fox population as being too large this has to do with our personal sense of values, for example, when a fox has caused us some damage (for more) we will consider it an undesirable new neighbour. Conversely, if we are pleased to see a fox in our neighbourhood, we take quite a different view of the matter. Related questions Why do foxes live in urban areas? Why aren’t all foxes shot in urban areas? Why aren’t “urban foxes” returned to the forest? home | © |