Foxes have been dwelling alongside us in the city since at least the Victorian period, and in woodland for much longer.
The urban mammals are found across the world, but Britain leads the way in terms of their growing population.
While they largely look after themselves, sometimes young cubs need to be rescued – with some going as far as adopting the creatures.
These adorable creatures are certainly stunning, but is it safe to leave out scraps for them?
Should I feed the foxes in my area?
Feeding foxes in the UK is very possible, and some wildlife trusts even encourage it.
It’s important to remember that they are wild animals, however, so no attempts should be made to touch or tame them.
The furry-tailed friends have made their way into our cities due to their adaptability.
This quality allows them to eat a varied diet, including insects, small birds, and other mammals – as well as whatever they can rustle up from your leftovers.
They’re unlikely to go hungry even in bad weather, but they might appreciate leftover meat, cooked vegetables or even bread.
That’s not to say that you’ll only attract foxes, though – if you leave food out, a whole host of wildlife might arrive in your garden.
Is it safe to feed foxes?
It is almost always safe to feed foxes, but there’s always risk when encountering wild animals.
There are very few fox attacks on humans each year, and they usually occur when they are cornered.
If you come across one in a shed or enclosed space, leave it alone rather than attempt to aid an exit – they are more likely to bite if you get close.
The animals have been known to attack some pets: if you have rabbits or other rodents in your garden, it’s probably not a good idea to introduce a vixen visitor.
On rare occasions, foxes have also been known to kill cats, but that’s incredibly unlikely. Fights between felines and foxes normally end up being worse for the latter.
Dogs and foxes tend to leave each other well alone – and in some cases, even become companions.
Something that might cause consternation is the fact that the creatures do sometimes bury food in the ground – leaving rather unpleasant leftovers in flowerbeds and lawns.
If there are pets buried in the garden, they might be tempted to dig them up, too.
So if you do want nighttime visitors, leaving food out is fine. Just make sure to keep their wild nature in mind.
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