Cannibalism in Urban Fox Den | Bad Natured | BBC Earth

Foxes are now a regular sight in urban areas, but conservationist Sean McCormack witnessed shocking behaviour that challenged everything he thought he knew about the animal…
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Human: I’m trying to understand why this is happening. Fox: I was hungry.

[@Whocares158]

😂

[@Rainkit]

It could also be to remove something that could attract predators. Foxes are prey for many animals and a rotting cub could attract them to the den.

[@thunderwolf4237]

I was thinking something similar

[@edstella]

He literally already said this at 6:12.

[@footfault1941]

Hindsight, not foresight.

[@kieranstoner1997]

Even tho they have no natural predators in england but yanno 🤣

[@UpinsmokeXI]

@ kieranstoner1997 Well you are wrong lots of birds of prey or even badgers will kill a fox in the uk

[@warrenstates8955]

Honesty, I think your first explanation explained it nicely. We must be careful not to impose our moral codes on animals. Animals aren’t good or evil; that’s a human social construction. Foxes in general have large litters. Arctic Foxes have one of the largest litters of any animal. Research DOES support the view that this is a “ valuable” food source. It’s a way of re absorbing the energy that was expended in raising the cub. It is a valuable energy resource in an urban environment. You are also correct in stating that carnivores in general don’t eat other carnivores. ( That would completely dismantle the food chain). Carnivores derive more nutritional content from the carcasses of herbivores. There must be something in place that inhibits cannibalism because the cub was NOT devoured immediately and it appears as though extreme circumstances may have precipitated this behaviour such as a severe food shortage; intense competition for space. What we don’t know is why the cub was killed. Was it somehow in poor health? We often can’t detect what nature can. Generally, nature doesn’t invest in weak , disabled or compromised individuals. ( It’s not worth investing resources and energy into a cub if it’s not likely to survive.) What a FANTASTIC COMMENTARY AND VIDEO. Please 🙏🏽 keep up the excellent work! All the best! Warren from Toronto, 🇨🇦

[@Interestinglybored209]

You said "good & evil is a social construct" do you believe in evil?

[@jiovanirivera852]

​​@@Interestinglybored209 evil exists but not in nature, only amongst humans.

[@s.e.e455]

More like animals are innocent and incapable of doing evil - all they know is instinct for survival. Humans know better, and do know good from evil among themselves. We know that any baby can be raised to be a healthy, contributing member of society if given proper care and time, even if they are disabled or handicapped.

[@Interestinglybored209]

@@s.e.e455 Ok, i understand and agree

[@Montecristo1805]

As a "biologist", you ought to know this behaviour is quite common in other species like leopards and lions. Leopardesses finish off their own cubs, once they die. Nothing shocking here.

[@DatcleanMochaJo]

That's great. But experience matters the most. And this is the first time I heard of this in foxes. Let alone other big cats.

[@christian779]

That's why he's a biologist and you're not, he doesn't assume different species have the same behaviours. Your comment comes across as arrogant by the way.

[@Montecristo1805]

And you come across as a hero-worshipping sock-puppet with no original opinions of your own. By the way, you don't know me so don't make assumptions about my knowledge of biology.

[@henry23808]

8 fricking minutes for something even a amateur wildlife observer knew. WHAT?

[@grimoireweiss6428]

This is a reminder for many of us. Life isn’t always pretty or nice. It can also be cruel and vicious.

[@m.a.b.4104]

It ain't no fairy tale that's for sure!

[@em1osmurf]

from the animal's POV, it's just life, and practical, i suspect.

[@Rainkit]

These comments get annoying. Most of nature is quite dark. Most of these baby foxes will not survive to adult hood and the moms need to find food.

[@s.e.e455]

@@serkantarcan1301 Life isn’t ALWAYS cruel or vicious, sometimes it’s neither cruel or joyful, just living life

[@DR-sv8ke]

No one needed reminding lol.

[@2eleven48]

I wouldn't call it 'cannibalism' and 'bad' natured as the title states, and am surprised at McCormick witnessing 'shocking behaviour'. This is emotional anthropomorphic terminology. The foxes did what they did for whatever reason in their own way of processing a situation. They were certainly not doing 'wrong'.

[@naaintok]

While I agree that the foxes did nothing “wrong,” doesn’t cannibalism just mean eating another individual of the same species? Which is exactly what’s happening?

[@alexcrowder1673]

@@naaintok Hes saying its not shocking. For example, both pet dogs and cats often eat their own owners. Especially when their owner dies in the house and isnt found quickly enough. In those cases they almost always take a few bites out of them. They'd do the same to their kittens or puppies too. Its natural behavior. Its just strange that the vet is surprised by this behavior. Although, to be fair, BBC is notorious for making nature videos with loads of misinformation and unknowledgable people. You should see their reptile videos, especially the ones about large snakes 🤦‍♂️

[@BADt0OtH]

What's shocking behavior is McCormick's use of click bait

[@2eleven48]

@@alexcrowder1673 ....He does actually the words 'shocking behaviour'' in the details below the headline.

[@2eleven48]

@@naaintok .....Yes, it does have that meaning (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannibalism') However, the word is freighted in meaning in the perception of how we view it, in human terms, as being something unacceptable unless under extreme circumstances. In that context, coupled with 'bad' nature and 'shocking behaviour', suggests a subjective judgemental approach which is not what a professional nature programme should be about. Thanks for replying. Robert, UK

[@wdtnewsusa88]

Cannibalism in an urban fox den is not a common occurrence, but it can happen under certain circumstances. Foxes are opportunistic animals that can feed on a variety of prey, including small mammals and birds. In instances where food is scarce or competition for resources is high, foxes may resort to cannibalism as a way to survive. However, such behavior is not typical and may be a sign of stress or other environmental factors.

[@goldwolf0606]

This is not wrong bad or strange… have you seen the movie “alive”? A plane crashed in the Andes mountains and the survivors ate the dead to survive. You think you are immune to hunger? You think you are immune to cannibalism? You’re wrong. When the pressure is great enough, you will do what you need to do to survive. Most people say they couldn’t kill anyone… if a criminal was going to kill your kid, wrapped a plastic bag over its head… you would not hesitate to pull the trigger. When the pressure is great enough, the switch flips. It’s not wrong, it’s nature. You do what you have to do to survive, to keep your kids alive. Accept it.

[@StephenTone-gf9hr]

Two vixens had six cubs each about three years ago in two different corners of the one field

[@davidmellish3295]

It's really not that strange in nature ,a lot of animals will eat their dead young,though I've normally seen this behaviour in African wildlife videos, leopards, lions,hyenas,honey badgers etc etc with bears being the worst offenders . ( yes i know the bears aren't in Africa)There are a lot of bird species that eat their young as well,with some even killing one of their babies to concentrate on the other one . I guess the animals are pragmatists, they need eat and it's easier to eat a carcass right there than having to go hunt

[@jamiete-whau595]

It’s a well known fact that pretty much all predators are also scavengers and foxes are known to be opportunistic hunters and considering how many mouths they had to feed it’s not really all that surprising they would resort to eating something that’s already dead, regardless of it’s the same species or not.

[@alexcrowder1673]

A vet he should have known this. Even pet dogs will eat their own dead offfspring or even their dead owners if other food isnt available, or sometime even if it is.... When people die alone in their home it sometimes takes awhile for the body to be found. Nature takes its course and the dog or cat will almost always begin to eat the owner. They may grieve for a bit, but then they quickly start seeing you as food. Dogs will often often happily greet their rescuers with wagging tails while the blood of their former owner still on their face. Ive heard that people who clean up dead bodies for a living are often more traumatized by the dogs and cats eating the dead bodies than they are by murder scenes.

[@Seyweld98]

I’ve known people who have had their dogs do the same. Applying human morality to animals is stupid, they don’t need a reason outside of being simply hungry. I’m shocked this biologist was shocked.

[@MrSeekerOfPeace]

Statistically speaking the chances of all 9 of those cubs reaching adulthood was extremely low. Especially in these dense proximity urban areas. Where competition for space means survival.

[@valdu5899]

Why are these comments so cynical

[@classicwhitebread]

First time on KZbin?

[@ethanwilson9406]

Emotions make me angry

[@lennarthagen3638]

Why is he shocked if he's a vet and runs some wildlife thing. Cmon dude....lots of wild animals do this. Get your shit together.

[@classicwhitebread]

Thanks Lennart. Telling it like it is

[@DR-sv8ke]

It's almost like he's trying to make it dramatic or something! The nerve.

[@rhondapowell6925]

Most animal eat their own placentas. In the animal world protein is just hard to come by. I don't think this is so strange, just hard core survival.

[@blueclovergirl]

Cats do this too. Baby kitten was dead after being run over and afterwards momma kitty took the baby and ate it. I was so shocked, but I was reading that it was normal for them. They do this to keep other predators from eating it and to feed their other babies. It is sadly the way of the natural world.

[@MrSeekerOfPeace]

There's this calico cat my neighbor looked after and she had a litter under their back porch. There were 7 and only 3 survived. I remember my sister being upset and telling her it's just nature's way.

[@callyb54]

I have been watching a program that used to be called SafariLive, now WildEarth (since lockdown there are many more private reserves that film their drives...though not usually live), who film wildlife in S. Africa, Kenya Botswana etc in real time, twice a day, each drive lasting 3 hours, following wildlife and wildlife behaviour as it happens. It has taught me so much about natural wildlife behaviour. One of the things we frequently see is that Predators (carnivors) kill and eat other Predators (competitors). I have also seen Leopards and Lions eat their young that have been killed by their own kind. I even observed females from the same Pride, eat a female (probably a sibling, daughter or niece) who was killed by one of the Pride males. That was quite unexpected. Like you mention, these Carnovore's don't know when their next meal will be and are opportunists.

[@WILLYNOTWALLY]

I’ve been chased by a fox on two occasions for about half a mile. Once I was cycling the other time on foot with a tangerine in my bag.

[@rms7999]

By the third day, there was no more traces of a fox in that carcass. It was just flesh.

[@3winmundoanimal]

A declaração "Canibalismo em Urban Fox Den" é um fenômeno perturbador que foi observado em algumas áreas onde as raposas vivem próximas aos humanos. As razões para esse comportamento não são totalmente claras, mas podem estar relacionadas ao estresse, superpopulação ou competição por recursos. Embora seja natural que muitos animais exibam tendências canibalísticas em certas circunstâncias, é importante lembrar que esse comportamento não é típico e geralmente é um sinal de um ecossistema insalubre.

[@yvonnerogers6429]

Hang in there. Thanks for what you do.

[@stevenl.passalacqua3953]

Just discovered that wild life is not like a Disney cartoon?

[@shivpatel5413]

🙀☠️😹😸🤦🏽‍♂️

[@drewtheceo9024]

He is the "new guy" maybe. He read a book once lol

[@youaregoingtolovethis]

This is not natural for them but when food supplies get scarce they you do what you have to do to survive just like any animal or human would do. Donner Party ring a bell? Chilean soccer team had to resort to the same thing when they plane crashed in the Andes in 1961. They started eating their dead teammates to survive.

[@dolphintouchmichellepsychi6217]

Wow, thank you!!!

[@gairahadam5304]

It's happen in urban cat also, but in my opinions they do that for their own safety. To save their other family. If they don't eat them, the carcas will attracting other animal and human, it's mean risking their others family member. You can see they don't eat them in first day, but after a few days

[@whippet_boy8594]

It looks like they just didn't like the body and maybe wanted to get rid of it

[@77moessa]

I admire how the fox bury's its food, Even it be a mere piece of morsel. For later to consume...!

[@ervinhoresnyik408]

I also have a photo series about this...at first I didn't want to believe my eyes.

[@johnburgess5534]

Waste not, want not. Survival is a strong instinct.

[@purplecosmonaut]

Animals: are wild This guy: surprised pikachu

[@DR-sv8ke]

This made me lol.

[@AnnieO100]

It’s a dog eat dog earth.

[@wolflinggon5664]

There is a lady here in youtube called Debs who feeds and cares for a family of urban foxes: Cookie, Basil, Biscuit and Chip Chip. Chip Chip has a litter of cubs in a nearby den but they haven’t been seen yet

[@digitalgraphics4176]

*POOR PRESENTATION, your audio must be at bacground*

[@billblaski9523]

Lol Bad Natured is tight!

[@ICYMIINMIY]

Woah step-mom, what are you doing 😮

[@TreDogOfficial]

I'm surprised it took them three days. The meat was rotten. Who knows how Foxes bond and experience memories. Perhaps the Fox is too stupid to know that it's eating another Fox carcass. Perhaps it's a sign of respect to consume your dead kin. Perhaps it's just a sign of desperation from starvation. Even a gorilla has been seen eating the maggots off another dead gorilla. But gorillas have a totally different diet.

[@LindaC616]

Yeah, they're vegetarian

[@timg1099]

Maggots off of another dead gorilla... Thanks 🤢

[@sharonmarsden7851]

David Attenborough would explain better. Less human more nature😂

[@patience1284]

Poor babies.

[@alexcrowder1673]

Why are you shocked? You say you are a vet, so why arent you aware that pet dogs and cats do the same thing?

[@polemeros]

"it kind of took a bit of"......why do so so many English speakers constantly bevel the edges of their assertions with softeners like this? A "slightly darker turn".......slightly?! "Sort of" is also ubiquitous. It makes speakers sound weak, apologetic and unsure. Just say what you want to say.

[@beeeean]

sheesh if I'm a fox and my siblings died i would start eating too pretty normal behavior

[@tahusih]

Yeay happy little family

[@ooccttoo]

Got a lot of Biology Experts in the comments here lol

[@nigelbewley1122]

A nicely made and presented film with a fascinating story. Urban foxes are a common and familiar sight, but who knows all the secrets of their society?

[@EalingWildlifeGroup]

Thanks Nigel, exploring all angles! Sean

[@DimityPockets]

Foxes actually have extremely intricate social structures called ‘skulks’, more complex than a wolf pack. They’re highly social.

[@Piyaridua]

Nice sharing ❤

[@chechuivanov1706]

Maybe we are not seeing the real causes as to why there is canibalisn between animals. As an example but just for reference purposes, one day at the beach a shark bite and ate a human leg and then they found through an autopsy that the shark was starving. There was no food for him in the ocean. Simple as that. And a lot of animals will suffer from this in the next years…it will be difficult for them to find food.

[@amilasupun7743]

Excellent and that's great wow😮❤🎉

[@trailblazer1047]

So what,maybe it did not want smell of dead fox near its den,and attrack other predators.It looks like talon wounds.

[@alanatolstad4824]

Well-done.

[@justicewillprevail1106]

I don't think it's very shocking.Animals are very practical. They put survival instinct first. They rather eat it instead of having other animals eat it.

[@Polandsyndromebodybuilding]

It’s a harsh reality

[@sylarmastermind]

This could be an interesting story however, the narration and work behind are very poorly done. I am more interested in how the fox cub died (a simple investigation should have addressed that), the reaction of its family, and least on how his emotional behaviours impaired his work.

[@kidkique]

This is not investigative journalism This Is a click-bait 2020s era manufactured drama documentary

[@Digdigi]

So if they do it it's fine but when I do it....

[@footfault1941]

The process of her decision making looks something suggestive. It took some while ... That could be a sign of rare occurrence of cannibalism in fox. For such an opportunistic animal, that hesitancy appears unusual. Kin recognition? Have no idea. Eventually she ate it. If he's perplexed, it should be very bizarre behavior.

[@MrSeekerOfPeace]

Uh if anything it was sniffing it to see if it were edible.

[@footfault1941]

@@MrSeekerOfPeace "sniffing it"! That'd be a crucial moment. If no sign (sent) left, or very weakened to barely identify the victim, it'd be a meal. Rule might be that simple. It could be more often than he might think, & of a normal behavior. It's a question of frequency of occurrence & of observation.

[@scoobethdoobethII]

Attaching human emotions/stigmas/values to the animal kingdom just doesn’t work sometimes

[@Quareque]

Human is not in the animal kingdom? Is humans a plants?

[@trevorclarey3336]

Nature red by tooth & claw.

[@ZeR0daRkSaiyan]

Correct me if I'm wrong.... But aren't foxes apart of the dog family? If so, then aren't young foxes referred to as 'pups' and not cubs?

[@99vance]

We watch your face more than nature.

[@alceratops6853]

For fox's sake, you can't eat each other!

[@KingNez89]

Baby foxes are so mf cute it's ridiculous

[@Insideoutie]

I reckon he killed the foxes himself. Great cover for a fox killer.

[@Insideoutie]

Thats a horrible thought. I think he went back to working in the factory after this.

[@DR-sv8ke]

We get it. You're unique.

[@anaotazu5975]

Not surprising, there is cannibalism in stray dogs, big dogs kill and eat the smaller ones

[@MrSeekerOfPeace]

Most omnivore mammals will do this. It's observed in racoons, squirrels. Also this could be an evolutionary tactic that the video mentioned. To reduce parasites

[@Terrakinetic]

Can foxes get Kuru? Or is that just a human thing?

[@em1osmurf]

less talk, more action. no downvote, the foxes saved it. but close.

[@Vinegaroon]

Sad the pup died but it’s a food scource

[@JanMorsø]

Nature, naturally, abhors waste. Humans, on the other hand ...well, where does one start

[@christineMaccallum-uo3qx]

Nature is amazing and different types of things that might surprise me and you so listen and learn for more information about this situation and story and facts and interesting and fascinating events so continue watching

[@Khaledf]

*People are talking about morality! Aren't we just biological machines that got evolved over millions of years? 😅 What is wrong ( from a pure biological point of view) about that behavior? Atheism can't stop amaze me in ironic way!*

[@kripto_pleb]

it just comes that we actually dont know sh..t about mother nature

[@muhammedminhaj2420]

Difference between humans and animals is that humans can differentiate between right and wrong. While for animals everything is instinctual

[@mthaylanprogames3689]

This is correct but in the same time wrong, because dolphins exist, and theyare very smart and have a high QI. And have some disturbing facts...

[@classicwhitebread]

​@MThaylanPRO Games nothing is wrong when it comes to nature. It's all part of the circle of life. It's right

[@mthaylanprogames3689]

@@classicwhitebread Bruh 💀

[@s.e.e455]

@@mthaylanprogames3689 Dolphins are not humans, man. They don’t think/create the way we do, they don’t use math, science, religion, various languages, etc. Not even close to the same level. They are at the level of 4 year old children, even with self-awareness.

[@Quareque]

What is not instinctual in humans? What does "wrong" mean?

[@kathyprock4505]

So he's got a den cam out Where he could watch the Fox eat the baby but he doesn't know how many of the babies survived? What happened to his Cam? This guy is a joke.

[@ThanatosDMC]

Pfft... even dogs eat their new born. Guy makes it sound like it's something new. 🤦‍♂️

[@Quareque]

Foxes are dogs.

[@jacquelinehauser220]

It's unfortunate every animal eats her own

[@kieranstoner1997]

How is it suprising when they feed on carrion? Have you even researched foxes or are yoy just pulling shite out the air?

[@darkPassenger24]

Don't over dramatise

[@harrybellingham98]

it really isnt that emotional. Foxes are scavengers, stop trying to put human emotions and characteristics on animals its really weird. This isnt some amazing thing youve discovered ata ll

[@wes7186]

Cringe comment

[@matalens48]

👌🙏👍💪🥰😍

[@A_H.89]

لآ إلـهَ إلا اللّٰه مُحمدً رسولُ اللّٰه

[@michaelversace456]

Lol, why is this shocking? 😅 Here in Australia they do this all the time. Its nutritious

[@MrSeekerOfPeace]

Its likely something that happens in dingo packs almost every time they can't find enough chow

[@michaelversace456]

@@MrSeekerOfPeace nope. Dingoes know where the foods are. They have established migration patterns

[@wanimalus]

*The phenomenon of cannibalism in urban fox dens is certainly a disturbing and troubling occurrence. While it may seem like an example of "bad nature," it's important to remember that wild animals operate according to their own instinctual behaviors, which can sometimes be quite brutal. However, it's also important to note that this behavior is relatively rare among foxes and other wild animals. It's possible that factors such as habitat destruction or changes in food availability may contribute to these kinds of aberrant behaviors.*

[@MrAzizme888]

اعتقد ان الثعالب تعلمت قتل ابناء جلدتها من البشر. 😏😏😏

[@jayapandey7041]

😮

[@YAH-1]

TMH YAH Creations 🙏🏾💛

[@srilankajeepsafari]

😍

[@joetoney3016]

How was it a dark turn as a biologist animals live of nature and the universe. They were trimming the fat from all the babies and food and survival

[@stevenstahl2219]

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) / Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool/.Acts 17:30 (KJV) / And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:/John 3:16 (KJV) /For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life./

[@rahulsingh13070]

I need job

[@drewtheceo9024]

I hate how these shows have become a people channel talking about clips. If I want this I will ask my kid about casual geographic. At least dude is funny and charismatic. I don't want to see how emotional people get with a situation or the mind frame of the people I want to watch and study animals not people. Bbc is falling off. Get better and I might sub one day. Until then I'm gonna go back to the plentiful animal docs out there that know how to SHOW animals while talking at least. Get with it bruv, beans on toast it's quite noice. 🐹🃏

[@Deathfromblaow]

Seems to me they wanted to get rid of the body