Any adverse issues with my new pets?

[formariz 11,987]

So I been noticing this year that my problem with damage from chipmunks , rabbits and groundhogs seems to be nonexistent. I discovered why. I have as new residents two families of foxes.  There are a total of 10. One has two bigger pups and the other one four little ones. They seem to all get along and their dens are next to each other. It’s been great watching them all play around the lawn on the back of property and nursing the little ones on the lawn. I was worried about a fawn that was born a few days ago but they hangout close with no issues so far. I wonder if our pleasure in watching them is not going to turn into a nightmare of some kind. They see us and don’t seem to bothered. As a matter of fact while I mow the lawn the pups just sit there and watch me. 
 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,850]

So great to hear from you Cas!

[ebinmaine 67,469]

Disclaimer.... I am not by a long shot of wildlife expert but we live in the country and deal with animals on a daily basis.

 

IMHO:

If it was me I would go about my business and not worry about it at all.

 

Just keep your distance and they probably will too.

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

1 hour ago, Pullstart said:

So great to hear from you Cas!

Thank you so much. It’s always great to be here where one is welcome and understood. Life is getting a little easier now that I am getting used to the new realities so I’ll be back a lot more often.

[formariz 11,987]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

IMHO:

If it was me I would go about my business and not worry about it at all.

 

Just keep your distance and they probably will too

That is also what I am thinking. Grown particularly fond of them specially when everyone that comes over always compliments the place that it looks like a well kept park. They certainly fit right in and we just love to sit outside and watch them nursing and playing right in the middle of the place. 

[squonk 41,100]

As long as you don't have any pets that go outside and keep the grandkids away from them you should be fine. Keep an eye out for any unusual activity by them as it could be a sign of rabies. 

[formariz 11,987]

27 minutes ago, squonk said:

As long as you don't have any pets that go outside and keep the grandkids away from them you should be fine. Keep an eye out for any unusual activity by them as it could be a sign of rabies. 

Good points. No pets outside. Although they don’t seem too fearful of us they keep their distance and so do we. I seen some really bad looking ones years back in this area with hairless tails not looking very healthy but these are absolutely healthy looking and acting. 
 

 Came across a few minutes ago with a result of their presence. A baby possum with the throat slit by a bite! No wonder the chipmunks rabbits and groundhogs are gone. Particularly happy about the groundhogs since they are so destructive. 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,555]

I would welcome a fox or two... the chip, groundhog and squirrel population is going crazy...

 

[Ed Kennell 38,170]

43 minutes ago, squonk said:

As long as you don't have any pets that go outside and keep the grandkids away from them you should be fine. Keep an eye out for any unusual activity by them as it could be a sign of rabies. 

                                                 Mike is spot on.   Enjoy them, but at a distance.   They are meat eating predators that will soon need to expand their range to find enough food (any chicken coops nearby) and it is likely they will eventually consume an animal that is infected with rabies.   Do not feed or make physical contact with them.   

You know the drill Cas... 

 

[stevasaurus 22,735]

Enjoy Mother Nature Mate...you have a unique view!  

[formariz 11,987]

So far the downside it’s the dead animals I am finding. Today while mowing lawn found a second possum half eaten, a mangled frog and lots of feathers around. That is not going to be a good thing .

[953 nut 55,218]

17 hours ago, formariz said:

no issues so far. I wonder if our pleasure in watching them is not going to turn into a nightmare of some kind.

           Wild life belong in the wild, not in a residential setting.   Have you called the Fish and Wildlife folks to see if they will relocate your new new neighbors?     https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/

[SylvanLakeWH 25,555]

I have a coyote that frequents our neighborhood... 3:00 am - 5:00 am routine... I'm glad - he/she will keep the varmint population down...

[ebinmaine 67,469]

31 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

Wild life belong in the wild, not in a residential setting

 

In principle I agree... But the reality is that as human animals we're rapidly encroaching and completely taking over all available environment from the rest of the flora and fauna. 

We need to learn to adapt just as they do or all lifeforms will continue  to lose the race. 

 

[CCW 1,295]

My niece as a youngster experienced a fox needing to find more food.  She was walking a young pup on a leash along the sidewalk and a fox came out and attacked the dog.  She picked the dog up and the fox then jump up on her after the dog.  She was scratched and then treated for rabies as a precaution.  BTW the dog lived a long and happy life.  So some caution is warranted.  

[ebinmaine 67,469]

28 minutes ago, CCW said:

So some caution is warranted

 

 

I would elaborate on that to the point that:

NO WILD ANIMAL SHOULD BE INTERACTED WITH EXCEPT BY TRAINED OFFICIALS 

[CCW 1,295]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

NO WILD ANIMAL SHOULD BE INTERACTED WITH EXCEPT BY TRAINED OFFICIALS 

 

The only interaction we have is going in the house as the black bear walk through our back yard.  Other than the birdbath. 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,555]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

 

I would elaborate on that to the point that:

NO WILD ANIMAL SHOULD BE INTERACTED WITH EXCEPT BY TRAINED OFFICIALS 

 

Well... I wouldn't say i'm a trained official, but I interact with deer every fall from 100 yds out or so... Reach right out and touch them... so to speak...

 

[rmaynard 15,455]

We have had foxes that roamed our area. We also used to have cats that we would see on the wildlife cam. Another neighbor got a rooster. He lasted for about a month. The cat no longer showed up on the wildlife cam and soon after, posters were on the utility poles for a lost cat. The fox still appears at night, but the rooster is silent and the cat is gone. One can only surmise that the fox is not hungry any longer.

[formariz 11,987]

I am wondering what kind of havoc 10 of them will create. 

[formariz 11,987]

Here is a cool video of them specially towards the end with most of them running around. Wife took video so excuse the shaking and her choice words about her condition. 
 

[Ed Kennell 38,170]

42 minutes ago, formariz said:

excuse the shaking

Thanks Mrs. F,   It looked steady here.

[formariz 11,987]

It’s getting a little gruesome every day now. I think I may have to evict them. 
 

[Ed Kennell 38,170]

Yeah, they need to eat.  

[953 nut 55,218]

On 5/18/2024 at 8:17 AM, ebinmaine said:

the reality is that as human animals we're rapidly encroaching and completely taking over all available environment from the rest of the flora and fauna. 

There is little doubt that the fox's former home was disturbed by some sort of human action but that doesn't make it safe for them to be in a residential area.

Our back property line is the US Forest service and we do see the occasional fox, bear, coyote, and lots of deer wandering by. The average home density where we live is one house per ten acres so there is plenty of room for nature and people to coexist.We love watching the wildlife when they happen to come by, but they are not taking up residence in out backyard. We do have a resident skunk and I am fine with that because racoons are afraid of skunks so we don't have any.

Edited May 21 by 953 nut
fat finger