Question about fox behavior (is this odd?)

[TC]

I know nothing about foxes, but live in an area of Washington DC that
is known for its red fox population (Foxhall - NW).
Please folks - I need your input! I know nothing about red foxes but
need to know what I experienced tonight!

Tonight I was walking my two dogs (both pitbulls) in a large grassy
area that borders an extensive wooded area. A red fox appeared in the
middle of the field (my dogs sensed him immediately - I scanned the
field until I caught his silhouette). I stopped walking and watched as
the fox (obviously aware of us) trotted towards a quiet road that runs
parallel to the field. My dogs were very excited so I turned around and
began heading back across the field. About 2 minutes later, with my
periphery vision, I saw something moving, and behold, the fox had moved
along the border of the field and was moving toward us! I walked slowly
with my dogs as they had become incredibly agitated. It's normal that
they become excited around other dogs, but they had become very, very
aggressive: growling, barking, lunging etc. I think they sensed (or
smelled) that this was a wild animal.

As I continued to backtrack across the field, the fox continued to move
towards us cautiously. Eventually I stopped as my dogs became almost
uncontrollable. I think they felt as though they were being stalked. As
I tried to calm them the fox moved to within 20 feet of us and stopped,
and sat. He/she was close enough that I could make out the physical
characteristics of the fox. It didn't appear to have mange, to be
frothing at the mouth, or look sick, and in fact was appeared to be a
healthy, magnificent specimen. Keep in mind I was only looking for
signs of illness that a layperson would recognize in a canine.
I continued to try and calm my dogs, literally dragging one 50 lbs
pitbull and one 60 lbs pitbull back across the field (no easy feat).
The fox followed! I continued my walk-stop pattern for about 300 feet.
The fox seemed undeterred. Finally I came upon the starting point of my
journey. I waited to cross the road next to a bus stop, and the fox
moved closer (about 15 feet). All the while traffic is going by and my
dogs are going absolutely nuts and launching themselves towards the
fox. At this point I began to become worried. I thought, "If this fox
follows me across this city street, onto a sidewalk, something must be
wrong."
Well, I crossed the street, and the fox, at this point actually sitting
INSIDE the bus shelter, just observed us. He didn't follow - and then
as I moved up the street he darted back towards the field and the
woods.

I don't know what to make of this behavior. This fox seemed to be VERY
bold. I'd be willing to think it was curiosity if it was not for my two
pitbulls which were exhibiting unmistakably aggressive behavior. Surely
the fox must have sensed this aggressive, predatory-type reaction from
my dogs.
The only other thing I noticed (other than the fox's boldness) was
that it seemed to be constantly glancing back across the field as it
advanced towards us. I strained my eyes to see if their were other
foxes (or pups) but I didn't see any.

Can ANYONE tell me what I experienced tonight? Other than upsetting my
dogs, I was thrilled to see a fox so close. It was beautiful.
Please e-mail me in addition to posting here if you don't mind.
Thanks in advance.
***@hotmail.com

[Words]

Post by TC
I know nothing about foxes, but live in an area of Washington DC that
is known for its red fox population (Foxhall - NW).
Please folks - I need your input! I know nothing about red foxes but
need to know what I experienced tonight!
Tonight I was walking my two dogs (both pitbulls) in a large grassy
area that borders an extensive wooded area. A red fox appeared in the
middle of the field (my dogs sensed him immediately - I scanned the
field until I caught his silhouette). I stopped walking and watched as
the fox (obviously aware of us) trotted towards a quiet road that runs
parallel to the field. My dogs were very excited so I turned around and
began heading back across the field. About 2 minutes later, with my
periphery vision, I saw something moving, and behold, the fox had moved
along the border of the field and was moving toward us! I walked slowly
with my dogs as they had become incredibly agitated. It's normal that
they become excited around other dogs, but they had become very, very
aggressive: growling, barking, lunging etc. I think they sensed (or
smelled) that this was a wild animal.
As I continued to backtrack across the field, the fox continued to move
towards us cautiously. Eventually I stopped as my dogs became almost
uncontrollable. I think they felt as though they were being stalked. As
I tried to calm them the fox moved to within 20 feet of us and stopped,
and sat. He/she was close enough that I could make out the physical
characteristics of the fox. It didn't appear to have mange, to be
frothing at the mouth, or look sick, and in fact was appeared to be a
healthy, magnificent specimen. Keep in mind I was only looking for
signs of illness that a layperson would recognize in a canine.
I continued to try and calm my dogs, literally dragging one 50 lbs
pitbull and one 60 lbs pitbull back across the field (no easy feat).
The fox followed! I continued my walk-stop pattern for about 300 feet.
The fox seemed undeterred. Finally I came upon the starting point of my
journey. I waited to cross the road next to a bus stop, and the fox
moved closer (about 15 feet). All the while traffic is going by and my
dogs are going absolutely nuts and launching themselves towards the
fox. At this point I began to become worried. I thought, "If this fox
follows me across this city street, onto a sidewalk, something must be
wrong."
Well, I crossed the street, and the fox, at this point actually sitting
INSIDE the bus shelter, just observed us. He didn't follow - and then
as I moved up the street he darted back towards the field and the
woods.
I don't know what to make of this behavior. This fox seemed to be VERY
bold. I'd be willing to think it was curiosity if it was not for my two
pitbulls which were exhibiting unmistakably aggressive behavior. Surely
the fox must have sensed this aggressive, predatory-type reaction from
my dogs.
The only other thing I noticed (other than the fox's boldness) was
that it seemed to be constantly glancing back across the field as it
advanced towards us. I strained my eyes to see if their were other
foxes (or pups) but I didn't see any.
Can ANYONE tell me what I experienced tonight? Other than upsetting my
dogs, I was thrilled to see a fox so close. It was beautiful.
Please e-mail me in addition to posting here if you don't mind.
Thanks in advance.

It does seem strange that it was quite so bold, and the experience
seems even more odd for an American fox. Why I mention that is because
most reports from America that I've read is that foxes are generally
much less integrated into human areas than they are in the UK. Here,
once a fox is familiar with people they will approach in the hope of
getting food.

Over here, when I used to walk my dog, the foxes would just stop a few
feet from the road and watch us pass by. They'd then go back to
whichever garden they were rooting around in. They were curious and
seemed completely aware that the dog was on a leash/wouldn't get near
them.

One thought is that the fox you saw is very familiar with people and
may have found that it gets given food (maybe at the bus shelter when
people are waiting). It's possible that someone leaves food for it on
a regular basis, so it saw you and thought, 'aha, a human with food'.

It's very unlikely that the fox would attack, so curiosity/food is the
more likely explanation than anything sinister. As you say, it doesn't
sound ill. Also it won't have been feeding young at this time of year.
The young will have been independent for some months now. The other
thing around late autumn is that foxes start competing for winter
territory and seeking mates etc so they can become more visible in new
areas.

I haven't mailed this as my newsgroup reader isn't set up for mail.
Sorry.
--
Words
http://www.permuted.org.uk/fox
http://www.permuted.org.uk/picofday.html
http://my.opera.com/Words/blog

[Buddy's Mom]

I think the other poster is correct. The fox is used to people feeding
him. He is probably young also. We had two litters here this spring
and they would almost run right up to you. I think a neighbor had been
feeding them.

Post by TC
I know nothing about foxes, but live in an area of Washington DC that
is known for its red fox population (Foxhall - NW).
Please folks - I need your input! I know nothing about red foxes but
need to know what I experienced tonight!
Tonight I was walking my two dogs (both pitbulls) in a large grassy
area that borders an extensive wooded area. A red fox appeared in the
middle of the field (my dogs sensed him immediately - I scanned the
field until I caught his silhouette). I stopped walking and watched as
the fox (obviously aware of us) trotted towards a quiet road that runs
parallel to the field. My dogs were very excited so I turned around and
began heading back across the field. About 2 minutes later, with my
periphery vision, I saw something moving, and behold, the fox had moved
along the border of the field and was moving toward us! I walked slowly
with my dogs as they had become incredibly agitated. It's normal that
they become excited around other dogs, but they had become very, very
aggressive: growling, barking, lunging etc. I think they sensed (or
smelled) that this was a wild animal.
As I continued to backtrack across the field, the fox continued to move
towards us cautiously. Eventually I stopped as my dogs became almost
uncontrollable. I think they felt as though they were being stalked. As
I tried to calm them the fox moved to within 20 feet of us and stopped,
and sat. He/she was close enough that I could make out the physical
characteristics of the fox. It didn't appear to have mange, to be
frothing at the mouth, or look sick, and in fact was appeared to be a
healthy, magnificent specimen. Keep in mind I was only looking for
signs of illness that a layperson would recognize in a canine.
I continued to try and calm my dogs, literally dragging one 50 lbs
pitbull and one 60 lbs pitbull back across the field (no easy feat).
The fox followed! I continued my walk-stop pattern for about 300 feet.
The fox seemed undeterred. Finally I came upon the starting point of my
journey. I waited to cross the road next to a bus stop, and the fox
moved closer (about 15 feet). All the while traffic is going by and my
dogs are going absolutely nuts and launching themselves towards the
fox. At this point I began to become worried. I thought, "If this fox
follows me across this city street, onto a sidewalk, something must be
wrong."
Well, I crossed the street, and the fox, at this point actually sitting
INSIDE the bus shelter, just observed us. He didn't follow - and then
as I moved up the street he darted back towards the field and the
woods.
I don't know what to make of this behavior. This fox seemed to be VERY
bold. I'd be willing to think it was curiosity if it was not for my two
pitbulls which were exhibiting unmistakably aggressive behavior. Surely
the fox must have sensed this aggressive, predatory-type reaction from
my dogs.
The only other thing I noticed (other than the fox's boldness) was
that it seemed to be constantly glancing back across the field as it
advanced towards us. I strained my eyes to see if their were other
foxes (or pups) but I didn't see any.
Can ANYONE tell me what I experienced tonight? Other than upsetting my
dogs, I was thrilled to see a fox so close. It was beautiful.
Please e-mail me in addition to posting here if you don't mind.
Thanks in advance.

[Greg Hansen]

Post by TC
I know nothing about foxes, but live in an area of Washington DC that
is known for its red fox population (Foxhall - NW).
Please folks - I need your input! I know nothing about red foxes but
need to know what I experienced tonight!
Tonight I was walking my two dogs (both pitbulls) in a large grassy
area that borders an extensive wooded area. A red fox appeared in the
middle of the field (my dogs sensed him immediately - I scanned the
field until I caught his silhouette). I stopped walking and watched as
the fox (obviously aware of us) trotted towards a quiet road that runs
parallel to the field. My dogs were very excited so I turned around and
began heading back across the field. About 2 minutes later, with my
periphery vision, I saw something moving, and behold, the fox had moved
along the border of the field and was moving toward us! I walked slowly
with my dogs as they had become incredibly agitated. It's normal that
they become excited around other dogs, but they had become very, very
aggressive: growling, barking, lunging etc. I think they sensed (or
smelled) that this was a wild animal.
As I continued to backtrack across the field, the fox continued to move
towards us cautiously. Eventually I stopped as my dogs became almost
uncontrollable. I think they felt as though they were being stalked. As
I tried to calm them the fox moved to within 20 feet of us and stopped,
and sat. He/she was close enough that I could make out the physical
characteristics of the fox. It didn't appear to have mange, to be
frothing at the mouth, or look sick, and in fact was appeared to be a
healthy, magnificent specimen. Keep in mind I was only looking for
signs of illness that a layperson would recognize in a canine.
I continued to try and calm my dogs, literally dragging one 50 lbs
pitbull and one 60 lbs pitbull back across the field (no easy feat).
The fox followed! I continued my walk-stop pattern for about 300 feet.
The fox seemed undeterred. Finally I came upon the starting point of my
journey. I waited to cross the road next to a bus stop, and the fox
moved closer (about 15 feet). All the while traffic is going by and my
dogs are going absolutely nuts and launching themselves towards the
fox. At this point I began to become worried. I thought, "If this fox
follows me across this city street, onto a sidewalk, something must be
wrong."
Well, I crossed the street, and the fox, at this point actually sitting
INSIDE the bus shelter, just observed us. He didn't follow - and then
as I moved up the street he darted back towards the field and the
woods.
I don't know what to make of this behavior. This fox seemed to be VERY
bold. I'd be willing to think it was curiosity if it was not for my two
pitbulls which were exhibiting unmistakably aggressive behavior. Surely
the fox must have sensed this aggressive, predatory-type reaction from
my dogs.
The only other thing I noticed (other than the fox's boldness) was
that it seemed to be constantly glancing back across the field as it
advanced towards us. I strained my eyes to see if their were other
foxes (or pups) but I didn't see any.
Can ANYONE tell me what I experienced tonight? Other than upsetting my
dogs, I was thrilled to see a fox so close. It was beautiful.
Please e-mail me in addition to posting here if you don't mind.
Thanks in advance.

Fox behavior is highly variable. Most foxes I've found in the DC area
are paranoid, and don't even like people to see them from a distance.
But if they find people when they're very young, and the mother
doesn't scold them, they can be a lot bolder. They're curious, playful,
and opportunistic.

There is what's called friendly rabies, where an infected fox will walk
right up to you, even let you pet it. That's associated with a dull
look, a seeming lack of awareness. I don't think your fox had it
because he was worried about what was behind him, and because he dashed
away when you moved up the street. He was just bold.

[Words]

Post by Greg Hansen
Fox behavior is highly variable. Most foxes I've found in the DC area
are paranoid, and don't even like people to see them from a distance.
But if they find people when they're very young, and the mother
doesn't scold them, they can be a lot bolder. They're curious, playful,
and opportunistic.
There is what's called friendly rabies, where an infected fox will walk
right up to you, even let you pet it. That's associated with a dull
look, a seeming lack of awareness. I don't think your fox had it
because he was worried about what was behind him, and because he dashed
away when you moved up the street. He was just bold.

Interesting to read about the US experience and how much more wary
foxes are there. In the UK, especially in urban gardens, it's very
different. This photo taken today... one of the younger foxes from
around here. Loading Image...
--
Words
http://www.permuted.org.uk/fox
http://www.permuted.org.uk/picofday.html
http://my.opera.com/Words/blog