Note patchy hair on its back. Poor little thing.
The above photo was taken in broad daylight on my neighbor’s lawn. Foxes aren’t supposed to do this. They are supposed to be “crepuscular,” hunting and hiding, mainly at dawn and dusk – not curled up in the middle of someone’s lawn.
I spoke to a veterinarian about it and she said that it could have been rabid. Perhaps. We’ve had lots of foxes around here during the past two summers. In the evenings, the parents would emerge with their cubs and we’d often see them tumbling and playing on the lawns. Everyone enjoyed watching them and they were just part of the scene.
In fact, during certain periods in the summer we would often see foxes trotting casually down the street. So we’re used to them.
But this year’s cubs didn’t look so healthy as they grew up. We saw them several times scavenging seed under a neighbor’s bird feeder. They looked thin and their coats were patchy. Maybe something happened to the mother before she had enough time to teach them what they needed to know to hunt successfully. We’ll never know.
For these foxes, it’s going to be a very tough winter.
Digging RI 
Awwww. I’d worry to death about the little thing. I’m assuming it moved on.
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No, it and the other cubs are still around. I do worry, but I don’t know if there’s anything I can do…
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Do you know a local animal rescue person? We have a local here who’s amazing. They’ll trap, nurture and release.
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Unfortunately, here in RI, foxes are a considered rabies vector species, and rehab is prohibited.
Isn’t that sad?
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oooh, that’s too bad. The raccoons we see a lot have also been out and about during the day more often than before. I’m thinking they’ve gotten bold, but maybe they’re having issues too! Hey, I went to the MG conference in WV and met one of your colleagues at dinner. I was hoping you’d be there too so we could finally meet, but the person I met said you weren’t there. Too bad!
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I guess you must have met Rosie, right? It would have been great to meet you, Wendy.
I have returned to the workforce, and the little free time I have left goes to visiting my elderly relatives back in Canada. In fact, I am there right now and will post from the Great White North soon!
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