Pam Otto is the Manager of Natural Programs and Interpretive Services for the St. Charles Park District
July 13, 2012
Through the years, many words have been used to describe our friend the fox: Sly. Crafty. Clever.
But lately there’s a new word that’s been added to our Vulpes vocabulary: Unfazed.
In last week’s column we took a look at red foxes, and toward the end of the piece asked for anyone who’s seen a fox, or foxes, lately to let us know. And people—lots and lots of people–did. We heard from folks in the western part of the county, where the land is a little more open and perhaps more of what you’d picture as “fox habitat.” But we also heard from people in eastern Kane County, specifically the TriCities—an area where streets, sidewalks and turfgrass predominate over woods and fields.
The emails and phone calls described red fox sightings in back yards, front yards, side yards and driveways. People told of foxes passing through, and foxes that appeared to be staying.
And then there were the stories of, awww, little baby foxes. Kits being raised under sheds, porches and decks; in culverts and drain tiles; in outbuildings and cemeteries. These new-age dens, relying completely on manmade materials, seem to be today’s refuge of choice for the red fox, at least in these parts. And probably for a number of reasons. They’re plentiful; they’re sturdy; most of all, they’re readily defensible should a larger carnivore, like a coyote, come calling. (Also, seeing as these manmade structures are near, well, man, coyotes for the most part will steer clear—another definite advantage for the fox.)
The area with the most reported sightings was, surprise surprise, downtown Geneva. People wrote and called about seeing red fox throughout the neighborhoods both east and west of Third Street. The parking lots and platforms at the train station were the scenes of several sightings, as was Third Street itself. (Think of that the next time you find yourself shopping or dining there!)
As I read and listened to people’s descriptions of their encounters, I couldn’t help but notice several common themes. Most expressed surprise, but in a good way—like finding a puppy under the Christmas tree when all you’d been expecting was socks and underwear.
In fact, the foxes’ puppy/dog-like nature was something several people pointed out. I suppose it’s only natural, seeing as the fox is a member of the Canidae, or dog, family. But still, seeing a wild animal display the same behaviors we recognize from our own Fidos and Fifis makes for quite a sight. Many people reported seeing foxes rolling on their backs in the grass, lounging in the shade, yawning, scratching an ear, even cocking their head to one side as if listening.
But whether the foxes were on the move or lying still, the one word used more than any other to describe their demeanor was “unfazed.” It seems that our ruddy neighbor is equally at ease scratching an itch while seated on a driveway, trotting along a sidewalk or street, or standing and watching people even as they sit and watch back.
I’m no wildlife biologist, and am in no position to make any pronouncements about the status of the red fox in Kane County. But it does seem as though the individuals we’ve heard about over the past week are, at the very least, accustomed to suburban life. They go about their business, raising young, foraging, feeding, drinking (from a hose, even) with barely a nod to us bystanders.
Shoot, some have even learned to look both ways before crossing the street—an important skill in our suburban landscape.
It might seem foolhardy to be unfazed by traffic whizzing by, often at speeds greater than the posted limit. Crazy, even.
But remember who we’re talking about here. These guys are crazy all right, crazy…like a fox.
A little crazy in her own right, Pam Otto is the manager of nature programs and interpretive services for the St. Charles Park District. She can be reached at 630-513-4346 or potto@stcparks.org.