Foxes Are Cunning, Deceitful and Evil Animals and Most People Hate Them
This is actually nothing more than a myth. The image of the fox as a cunning animal is present in many cultures and is based mostly on short fables told to children at a very young age of foxes deceiving other animals and leading them to their death so that they can eat them. At any rate, while in most cultures, this image is coupled with admiration and respect, in Egypt it seems to be associated with fear. But the fear is really quite unnecessary. In fact, surveys done in Britain show that most people like urban foxes (65%), others are neutral (25.8%) and only 8.5% dislike urban foxes. In many countries where foxes are found, people welcome these creatures as part of the natural environment by having fox's earths in their gardens.
Foxes Kill Unnecessarily
Foxes do not kill unnecessarily or for fun, as that would be quite wasteful for the animal's energy. These animals are successful becasue they follow a clever survival strategy. If the opportunity arises and a fox gains access to a chicken coup for instance, it will kill more than its immediate needs as it will attempt to bury or cache the extra killings to eat later on a night when hunting is not fruitful. An owner of a farm can simply prevent fox raids on his animals by ensuring that his animals' houses are fox-proof. This eliminates the need to poison foxes.
Foxes and Dogs May Breed to Produce Vicious Hybrids
Practically impossible. Foxes and dogs are different species with different numbers of chromosomes in their cells, which means that even if a fox and a dog mate, their can be no offspring.
Foxes Will Attack Humans If They Are Starving
Humans are not at all on a fox's menu. We are simply too big to be hunted by a fox. Foxes fear and avoid humans.
A Wild Fox Is an Approachable Animal I Can Touch and Play With
In most cases, foxes will not like to be touched by humans and will run away if approached. Just like any cat or dog, it may turn aggressive if forced to defend itself. But if you are camping in the desert and you barbecue, you might be lucky to be approached by a fennec fox or any other fox that will stand some distance away and wait for you to throw it scraps of food.
A Fox May Well Be Carrying Rabies, Which Would Make it a Very Dangerous Animal
Just like most other mammals, foxes are capable of being infected by the rabies virus. However, rabies is a disease that spreads in large, over-crowded populations of animals. And since fox population density in Egypt is quite small, the chances of encountering a rabied fox in Egypt is quite close to nil. You are much more likely to come in contact with a rabied cat than to come in contact with a rabied fox. Think of how many cats you see everyday and used to see around old campus. Ever met a rabied cat?? Now compare that with the likelihood of seeing a fox at all and then the likelihood of that fox carrying rabies...
...References
The Fox Website. http://www.thefoxwebsite.org/
2 comments:
Having grown up in a rural environment, I am used to wildlife being a part of the surroundings and I recognize the importance of animals for a healthy and balanced environment. I have also learned that people who have grown up in more urban environments have only heard stories, and can see wildlife as much more of a threat than it is. I think that is the situation on AUC's new campus with the fox. I am glad that you are making the effort to dispel the myths surrounding foxes. We have moved into their home, and it is important we give them the appropriate respect and understanding. I saw a fox the other day - how interesting they are!
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