Red foxes are adaptable animals found across diverse landscapes, from forests and farmlands to urban environments. Known for their intelligence and resourcefulness, they thrive in various habitats worldwide, highlighting their ability to adjust to different conditions and utilize available resources.
The Red Fox’s Vertical Leap
Red foxes possess notable jumping capabilities, primarily due to their strong hind legs and agile bodies. From a standing position, a red fox can typically jump vertically about 3 to 4 feet (1 meter), particularly when pouncing on prey. With a running start, they can clear obstacles as high as 6 feet (1.8 meters). Some observations suggest they can even achieve a maximum vertical jump of approximately 7 feet (2 meters) from a standing start. This impressive vertical range plays a role in their daily survival.
Reasons for Jumping
Red foxes utilize their jumping ability for several practical reasons, primarily related to hunting and navigating their surroundings. A common hunting technique is “mousing,” where a fox leaps high into the air to pin small prey, such as rodents; this method is particularly effective in areas with tall vegetation or snow, where they rely on acute hearing to locate prey. Beyond hunting, jumping helps red foxes overcome various environmental obstacles like fences, fallen logs, and small streams, minimizing travel time and conserving energy. This agility also serves as a defensive mechanism, allowing them to escape potential threats or quickly move out of human sight. These leaps are also observed during play.
Designing Effective Barriers
Understanding a red fox’s jumping and climbing abilities is important for designing effective barriers.
Height and Climbing Barriers
To deter a red fox, a fence should typically be at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) high. However, height alone is often insufficient, as foxes are also skilled climbers. To prevent them from scaling, consider adding an outward-sloping top, angled at 45 degrees and extending about 19 inches (50 cm) horizontally.
Digging Prevention
Foxes are also adept at digging, making it necessary to extend the barrier below ground. Burying wire mesh at least 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) deep and bending it outwards in an L-shape at a 90-degree angle, extending another 8 inches (20 cm), prevents tunneling. Using narrow, welded steel mesh (½ inch by ½ inch) is preferable over chicken wire, which foxes can chew through.
Electric Fencing
For higher security, electric fencing with several wires charged with 5,000 to 7,000 volts provides a strong deterrent.