Fox territorial games

Well we had some sort of proof this evening of who's the dominant male fox.

The young male (year old) was in the garden minding his own business. Very relaxed as you can see in this first picture.

Young male fox

I'd popped inside for a few minutes when an awful noise called me back outside. There were two foxes. The young one and the old male. Both were low to the ground, but it was the young one who was screaming. He was prone, and bleating his heart out. The old fox was slinking in front of him, marking the ground with his neck. No fighting, just the marking behaviour of the dominant male (his tail was crooked, which suggests the outcome wasn't clear cut), and the young one screaming for all he was worth.

Young male in submissive position

Young male screaming

Eventually the dominant male moved away and came down to where we were at the front of the garden.

Leaving the young male to go and hide in the shrubbery!

The old fox moved away after a few minutes, departing to the front over the garage roof. It was only then that the young one emerged from his hiding place. He hung around for a minute or so longer before slinking off to the rear of the garden. Neither fox seems to have total control of the garden, but it seems fairly evident from tonight's performance that the old fox can dominate the ground if he needs to.

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This Post Has 7 Comments

  1. Mickeyjoe-Irl

    8 Mar 2007

    The old fella is looking pretty good and is obviously fighting fit. (Thanks in no small part to you :up:)

  2. Flying Red Fox Blog

    8 Mar 2007

    I think the old Dog Fox will win again at least for this year as hes better, much stronger and more established. The cubs mught have been born now so the contender young fox better watch out.:P

  3. Tervicz

    8 Mar 2007

    I once heard that cubs from previous litters sometimes help raise the new cubs. Although they don't have packs the way wolves do, there can be social bonds between foxes. 🙂

  4. SittingFox

    8 Mar 2007

    Fascinating behaviour sequence :up:

  5. Words

    11 Mar 2007

    Tervicz & Mark

    That's right, but usually it's a young vixen who helps out with the new litter. In this case (two males), I think they will continue to share the area. The young male is around during the day so I think his home base is in one of the other gardens very near here. The older fox comes from further away and is more a visitor.

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