Fox

Irish name: Sionnach / Madra rua
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes

The fox is about the same size as a large domestic cat, and is common throughout Ireland, in woodland, farmland, bog, mountains, coastal areas, towns and cities.  It has adapted well to urban living.  It is nocturnal, and is a very agile animal that can jump and climb well.

The dog has a high-pitched bark and vixens make ear-piercing screams, mistaken in the past for the wail of a 'banshee'.  The fox's eyesight is especially good in low light.  It has a very good sense of smell and uses scent glands to mark its territory.  It also has excellent hearing, and can even hear earthworms, insects and mice as they move along the ground.  Foxes usually live in pairs, but where conditions are good, they may also live in larger family groups - usually containing one adult male and one breeding female, along with other non-breeding females, who help to take care of the cubs.

The fox is flexible in diet as well as habitat.  It eats rabbits, young hares, mice, rats, birds, eggs, carrion, insects, earthworms, mushrooms, and fruits such as blackberries and apples.  By the sea, foxes eat fish and crabs they find on shore.

The fox makes an underground home called an 'earth' under hedgerows, in rock crevices, drains or under buildings, and will sometimes occupy an old rabbit burrow or badger sett.  In good weather, foxes like to lie above ground.

Cubs are born between February and April.  A breeding pair often stay together for a number of years, producing one litter, of four or five cubs, per year.  For the first few weeks, the vixen stays with the cubs and the dog brings food.  Many foxes don't survive their first year, and life expectancy is usually four years.

Fox Vulpes vulpes (Photo: Mike Brown)