Homeowners have many concerns when it comes to owning a home. First and foremost is the health and safety of their family. When it comes to wildlife, they aren’t all created equal. Some wildlife is more cunning than others. In this case, discovering a fox running through your neighborhood could be a concern. If you leave your windows open for fresh air, a fox could make its way into your home. Can foxes climb trees? This depends on the type of fox that lives in your area. Grey foxes can climb trees. Red foxes do not.
Let’s take a look below at how gray foxes and red foxes climb trees.
Why Would They Climb A Tree
Believe it or not, a fox is just like any other animal. It has a predator and it also needs to hunt for food. Let’s take a look at why a fox might need to climb a large tree.
- Predator – escape from predators such as a wolf or a hunting dog.
- Food – bird eggs and fledglings found in nests in trees are great food sources and easy targets for a fox. Also, other small mammals become easy prey.
- Rest – although foxes live in deep underground dens, they often need a place to stop and rest. A tree provides them with safety from larger predators and allows them to rest in peace.
How Can They Climb A Tree
Foxes are very cunning and have adaptability that makes them capable of climbing trees. Just like in the canine family, they have anatomical structures that allow them to climb trees fairly easily. Let’s take a look at how a fox can climb a tree.
- Semi-retractable claws – these claws allow a fox to dig deep into the trunk and bark of a tree. This grip allows the fox to scale any tree necessary to get food or escape a large predator. Also, these claws allow for an effortless climb as the fox is able to dig into the tree for fast scaling.
- Powerful hind legs – if you want to scale a tree, you need power and balance. The hind legs of a fox provide a great spring. As the fox uses its claws to navigate the tree, the hind legs keep it balanced and locked in against any wind gusts.
- Powerful front legs – having powerful front legs allow the fox to start off grabbing the tree successfully. Also, they keep the fox balanced and able to maintain a good climbing speed.
- Flexible joints – foxes have flexible ankle joints which allow them to spring into action very quickly. These flexible joints help with jumping from tree limb to tree limb as a squirrel does, to chase prey.
- Camouflage Fur – red foxes and grey foxes both have colorful fur that allows them to blend in with their surroundings. Whether it is a deciduous forest or just blending with the color of the leaves, a fox can be difficult to spot. This allows them to elude predators.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you have an understanding of how foxes are capable of climbing trees, you can read up on what a roof rat looks like. This could be helpful when looking to deter foxes from coming to your property. A roof rat could be a great source of food for a fox, so eliminating them from your home is a priority.
Next, if you want to keep fox prey away from your home get to know what their nests look like. For example, what does a raccoon’s nest look like? Raccoons are also small mammals that foxes like to prey on.
Lastly, keeping any rodents out of your yard is key. You don’t have to give a fox a reason to enter your property. Moles are another rodent that not only destroys your yard while it eats little insects, but it can be a great food source for a fox. Eliminate the moles to preserve your yard.
When Do I Call A Professional
Spotting a fox in your neighborhood could be quite troublesome. The chances of a fox wandering around are not very likely. However, in some cases, they will venture out to search for food. Relocating a fox is not an easy task. They are cunning and difficult to spot unless they are in the open. Call on a wildlife professional to assist. If your local pest control company does wildlife relocation, you can reach out to them.
Conclusion
Discovering a fox in your yard is not a good thing. Just like any wild animal, they can carry disease and become aggressive towards you. Most wildlife only enters open areas when searching for or chasing food. If you happen to own chickens or small livestock, this could attract a fox to your neighborhood. It is always a great idea to use your local professionals. Most pest control companies are very well-versed in the local wildlife. Reach out to All South Pest Control will be able to determine your fox removal needs and offer the best preventative maintenance for future pest issues in McDonough, GA, and the surrounding areas.
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