Fox kits begin their lives in a secure underground shelter known as a den. This den provides a safe environment where the newborns develop and grow during their initial weeks. Their early existence depends on the protection and nourishment within this sanctuary.
Inside the Den: Early Days of Fox Kits
At birth, fox kits are blind and deaf with a fine, grey fur coat. Weighing about 100 grams, they cannot regulate their own body temperature, relying on their mother’s warmth. Their eyes and ears typically open between 10 to 14 days, and their fur begins to change to a chocolate brown color during the first two weeks.
The vixen, or mother fox, remains largely inside the den, providing continuous care and nursing. The dog fox hunts and brings food back to the den for the vixen and eventually for the growing kits. For the first few weeks, kits are nourished solely by their mother’s milk, which is sometimes supplemented by regurgitated food brought by the parents.
First Steps Outside: The Emergence
Fox kits begin to emerge from the den and take their first hesitant steps outside at three to five weeks old. This initial exploration is a significant milestone, marking their first interaction with the outside world. At this age, their muzzle starts to turn white, and their eyes, initially blue, change to an amber color around four weeks.
During these early forays, kits remain close to the den entrance, always under the watchful eyes of their parents. They engage in playful interactions with their siblings, exploring their immediate surroundings. These brief excursions help them acclimate to new sights, sounds, and smells, preparing them for more extensive explorations in the weeks to come.
Growing Up: Life Beyond the Den
Following their initial emergence, fox kits gradually spend more time outside the den, increasing their independence. At six to eight weeks of age, their dark fur fades to red, and they begin the weaning process from their mother’s milk. Parents bring solid food, such as small prey items, to the den entrance, and the kits learn to eat these offerings. The mother may physically prevent nursing to encourage the transition to solid food.
By three months of age, kits are fully furred and more agile, allowing them to explore further from the den. They accompany their parents on short foraging trips, learning hunting skills by observation and practice. By autumn, at six to seven months old, young foxes are largely indistinguishable from adults and are ready to disperse to establish their own territories.