On the Trail of the Urban Fox

Waste not: Urban red fox scavenging rubbish in dustbin in London.

Whether slipping into the shadows or boldly inquisitive as it investigates human objects and refuse, this canny canid almost seems better fitted to the city than we are – even a highly populated metropolis like London. The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a survivor; by far the most common and widespread species of fox, and a familiar sight in both suburban and urban environments in Europe and North America. Normally extremely wary of humans, this wild mammal can also be quite bold. Just ask Laurent Geslin.

Death holds no fear: Urban red fox in a church graveyard in London.

Laurent has spent considerable time taking pictures of the urban fox and is deeply aware of the way animals modify their survival strategy to the endless expansions of our towns. On a recent shoot in London, the photographer spoke of an interaction with a vixen he was following: “Once again I couldn’t keep up as she was trotting fast enough to lose me again, but I managed to spot one cub. She then came back to me, and seemed more relaxed. She stayed for a few minutes and even came up to smell my bag.”

Cat fight: Urban red fox and angry domestic cat in a church graveyard.

Building this kind of trust with these sometimes persecuted creatures is rare, and yet the urban fox is no stranger to contact with other species. This includes the domestic cat, whose vertical eye-slits, aloof behaviour and extreme agility the red fox shares – hence it being known as the ‘cat-like canine’. The red fox also competes with the European badger for earthworms, eggs, and den sites. However violence between the two animals is thought to be scarce, and most encounters amount to little more than mutual indifference.

Fox among the pigeons: Urban red fox watching birds feeding in London.

The urban fox is naturally less indifferent to species that might provide an easy meal. It will prey on everything from tiny insects to larger vertebrates – mainly mice and voles, but also small reptiles and amphibians, and birds like unwary pigeons. A solitary hunter, it uses its acute hearing to locate small animals in the grass before jumping high in the air to pounce. Larger prey it stalks, relying on stealth to steal close enough to catch them in a short burst. Fruit and berries are also eaten, and the fox will cache excess food, burying it for later.

Human constructs: Silhouette of urban red fox with a car and shopping trolley.

The red fox is primarily active at dusk, though in areas of human interference with artificial lighting, its urban variety is increasingly active at night. There in the city, the watchful might catch sight of the fox's auburn pelt and long, white-tipped bushy tail – which affords balance for long jumps and lithe movements. This sleek creature only pairs up in the winter; for the rest of the year, as it patrols its territory, the urban fox is a lonesome yet beautiful sight. A shame that due to diseases, road accidents and hunting, it will be lucky to live beyond three years.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

With special thanks to Laurent Geslin for kind permission to use his photography.

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