Foxes are well known to be cunning creatures of the night; however, they can actually be seen day or night and often go about their own business without anyone knowing they are even there.

In my experience, there is barely a week that goes by where I don’t see a few foxes lurking around my neighbourhood. I’ve spotted them jumping through skips, resting in my garden and even taking a nap on the roof of a car on a summer’s eve at dusk. I think foxes are truly stunning animals and I could happily sit and watch them all day.

Opportunist scavengers

As the countryside reduces in size and more housing and industrial sites are built, it’s the wildlife that suffers. Over the years, foxes have been forced to survive in urban communities, and although finding a place to set up house is becoming ever more challenging for them, looking for food can be easy.

Foxes have been seen breaking into bin bags and taking scraps of food, as they are omnivore scroungers and can eat anything from rabbits and voles to bird eggs, beetles and fruit.

Foxes are lazy predators, and although they will take livestock such as guinea pigs and chickens, it is highly unlikely they would be a threat to cats, dogs or humans. They are opportunist scavengers, but in truth, foxes are the first to run if they feel even slightly threatened.

During cold winter nights, it is not uncommon to hear the chilling scream of a vixen looking for a mate. The peak time for mating is usually January, with 4-5 cubs per litter being born around March.

The average lifespan of a fox in the wild is 2-4 years. Foxes can be seen throughout the year as they do not hibernate. Fox dens are usually holes in the ground, and these often contain different exits to protect cubs in case of a predator invasion.

How you can help a fox with mange

Sarcoptic mange is a nasty condition that can be found in foxes. It usually first presents itself through thinning of the tail hair and works its way up the body. Foxes with mange can be seen scratching a lot, have a hunched appearance and often limping.

Conjunctivitis is also a common part of the condition, as well as needing a copious amount of water. After about four months of contracting this unbearable condition, without treatment, the fox will die.

If you have a fox regularly visit your neighbourhood and you think it may have mange, you can help by contacting the National Fox Welfare Society (www.nfws.org.uk). They can provide you with free medicine if necessary to leave out for a fox with mange. Merely put a few drops on a slice of bread and jam. With continued use, this can bring foxes back to full health.