Urban Red Fox Mum Has Surprising Litter | Discover Wildlife | Robert E Fuller

Filming cute red fox cubs in a city garden in York! 🦊
You can watch more fox films here: • Foxes 🦊 | Discover Wil...
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ABOUT THIS FILM
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Red fox sightings
It’s so much easier to watch red foxes in the city than in the country, where these quick-witted, sharp-eyed mammals are very elusive. So, when a friend told me of a thriving population living near his home in York, UK I decided to use the opportunity to get up close to these animals.
Building an artificial red fox den
The project began with Colin and I digging a bespoke den hidden in his garden and rigging it with surveillance cameras. But, despite having created the perfect home for them, the vixen chose to give birth to her cubs elsewhere.
I soon find her den, hidden in a huge patch of brambles, and set up some cameras there. The footage showed that a vixen with two cubs and a dog fox occupied the site.
Dogs can be a danger to fox cubs
It also revealed that the den was close to a popular dog-walking area and I held my breath as I watched a large, black dog follow its nose directly to the fox home and look down one of the entrance holes.
Red fox families will move if they sense danger
As the fox babies grew, the vixen became afraid for their safety. Soon, she moved out of her bramble-patch den and into the haven of Colin’s garden - where I had already built her a ready-made home for her youngsters to explore the world in safety.
Fox family settles into the home I built
I watched the young family from a hide I had built close by. I peered through my camouflage netting to see the dog fox bound onto a 6ft high wooden boundary fence then leap down into the garden. I watched it sniff around the patch before cocking its leg on one of my remote cameras and slinking off through a hole in the fence to continue patrolling its territory.
Next, the female emerged; one of her cubs trotting at her heels. As the cub lolloped past, the sunlight picked out a halo of long hairs poking through its woolly coat. Soon a second cub peeked through the gap in the fence and dashed to catch up with the others.
Together the cubs clambered over the logs, sniffing out treats that Colin had put out for them, and then began chasing each other around in circles. Next, they disappeared through the entrance to the fox den, and I watched on the screens connected to the cameras as they collapsed in a heap inside, exhausted by their antics.
Colin continued to keep me up to date with sightings and sent me regular updates from the cameras. One day he rang to let me know about something baffling: there were now more than two fox cubs in his garden.
Fox mystery
As the female suckled her cubs, a small head appeared through the hole in the fence and then another. Before I knew it a further three cubs had joined the other two and the vixen was now suckling five.
Over the next week, the cameras captured fox cubs tumbling about everywhere. It was difficult to keep tabs on them all and it took me several attempts before I finally counted a total of 10. Up until this point my cameras had only revealed two.
Red fox mums collaborate
The mystery was solved when a second vixen appeared on the scene and I realised the two vixens had joined forces to raise their cubs together. I had heard of vixens raising their cubs together in one large ‘family’, but I had never studied it.
I had headed to York in the hope of studying one family of urban foxes and had ended up with much more than I bargained for.
ABOUT ME
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I am a British wildlife artist and filmmaker on a mission to share my love for wildlife with the world. As well as creating detailed animal film and art portraits, I promote wildlife tours around the world and do all I can to help conserve and protect wildlife here at my home in Yorkshire. I hope that by putting nature in the frame I can foster a deep love for wildlife amongst my followers.
You may like to purchase my artwork which you can find on my website: www.robertefuller.com. Many of my paintings are portraits of the wonderful characters you watch here!
You can also follow me on these platforms:
Website: www.robertefuller.com
Facebook: / robertefullerart
Twitter: / robertefuller
Instagram: / robertefuller
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© Robert E Fuller
Copyright Disclaimer: Please feel free to share my videos but do not download any content without permission with the intent to re-upload. If you would like to license any content, please get in touch: [e-mail]
#robertefuller #fox #redfox #discoverwildlife

[@RobertEFuller]

I hope you've enjoyed the video! Watch more fox films: bit.ly/44Aw8PN Read my blog: www.robertefuller.com/diary/ Shop my fox artwork: www.robertefuller.com/product-tag/fox-robert-e-fuller/ Follow me: Facebook - bit.ly/43LiisV | Twitter - bit.ly/43yuiO9 | Instagram- bit.ly/3XV7rLA | TikTok - bit.ly/3XUnEAJ

[@vaclav222]

you have a scar in your forehead at 0.16 but when you turn it disappear? what camouflage technique is this

[@elisakozlowsky5469]

Very beautiful and sweet families!!

[@ChickpeatheTortie]

I live in a ground floor flat in Hackney East London and often get a couple foxes come round - and they are surprisingly tame and understand the word 'sardines'. I used to own a male cat who used to rub noses and chatter to the fox visitors - he also used to talk to a crow couple as well they would have long lengthy conversations. Unfortunately Boris is no longer with me and I miss him terribly it was all so lovely to see. Also here in Hackney foxes do very nicely and someone is actually having the females spayed and they all look very well fed and can often be seen walking around early in day when it is already light.

[@kalleyladouceur2225]

The fear of the dogs is a reason we should always be using a leash when walking our pets. So glad nothing happened and they all survived and thriving ❤️

[@PrimeGlaz]

Ive had a fox family living in my garden for about 2 years now. We feed them and have a wood pile for them to sleep on

[@tioswift3676]

What do you feed them?

[@wildlifespotlight511]

Only feed meat anything else is possibly harming them

[@AB-sq1sb]

Respect

[@Cechil55]

Very nice of you. I feed raccoons, birds, humming birds, especially when it gets cold out. If they let me, I would help owls, coyotes, etc. Thank you for helping them out.

[@aliteralfox6965]

👍

[@hlnbee]

When my son and his family moved into the “new” house, a fox family lived under the shed. Foxes are so beautiful!

[@dmarks0630]

2 vixens shared territory and rasied cubs together. That's amazing.

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Such a pleasure to see foxes thriving in urban districts. These videos are the best antidote to depression. ❤️❤️❤️

[@LukeGOrrin]

My word, that footage you captured from the hide was absolutely breath-taking. So moving. I’m with you; I could watch fox cub play fight forever.

[@lisbethbird8268]

There was a Fox family that would play and scavenge in my yard for, I'm guessing, mice. The cubs would hide from Daddy in the bushes at the edge of open space, then jump out suddenly pouncing on him. Then wrestle and tumble. My cats were fascinated and not afraid. They would lie on their bellies watching.

[@vivianefrancart5065]

AMAZING, BEAUTIFULL ANIMALS. THEIR COLLOR IS LOVELY AND THOSE EYES, JUST WAUW.THANK YOU Mr. @ROBERT E FULLER FOR SHARING🌹🌿🌾🌱

[@BoyoMikey]

I saw similar creche behaviour with a family of foxes I followed in Cambridge during 2019. 8 cubs two vixens (cubs split 6 and 2) and a dog fox. All happily rubbing along. Then in 2022 I witnessed 3 cubs from 2021, help raise the 2022 litter. It was amazing. Foxes never cease to amaze me. Thanks for these videos and the live feed from the den.

[@RobertEFuller]

Yes they are quite amazing we have seen so many different foxes this and they is a big den not far away it’s so busy with action it looks more like a busy badger set, There is a lot going on with there social structure that we don’t know about but it’s fascinating to get a insight into there lives

[@vivianefrancart5065]

Wauw this is also a very stunning animal He eats your chicken's steel their eggs and takes your bunnies, and then you are very angry. but when I see such a beautiful animal, I would say "They were hungry. A very beautiful video, Thanks Mr. E Fuller💚🐈🐈💛🧡❤💜🌹🌱🌿😍

[@frankiepost2749]

This is probably her daughter from another litter, the mom had. It reminds me of the lions in Africa.

[@AnnaMarianne]

Or a sister?

[@frankiepost2749]

@@AnnaMarianne Yeah that would make more sense.

[@GlitzyWitch]

More than likely, I thought this too ❤️

[@shoona101films]

yeah i was thinking of that too, maybe the other female fox was a daughter or sister to the other fox.

[@goombapizza6335]

I'm almost certain that the vixens are sisters and the three foxes form one social group. In times of plentiful food, foxes are not necessarily monogamous. From DiscoverWildlife: "Foxes live in social groups - three or four adults are quite common (though 10 were recorded in one Bristol group). These consist of equal numbers of dogs and vixens. Generally, only one vixen breeds, but occasionally up to three do. Cubs can be reared separately, but may also be pooled together in one large litter." Which is exactly what was going on here.

[@sunsetta9496]

It's great that you and your friend built a new and safer den for the fox family. I almost couldn't believe how many fox cubs there were, running about!

[@el1se1]

What a lovely film of foxes! I have loved seeing animals in your videos that don't show up as often as the owls on your live-streams. Keep up the awesome work! 🦊 I was so surprised when not 2, not 3, not 4, but 10 fox cubs emerged from the trees in total! I can't believe that the two fox families were living side by side without fighting or aggression. Extraordinary video!

[@Hanuman-111]

🦊♥️

[@GlitzyWitch]

That was amazing wasn't it ❤️❤️❤️😍😍😍🦊🦊🦊🦊

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

It really was an extraordinary video! I don’t think anyone has ever seen so many cubs together at once like that, or fox families co-habiting & co-parenting. What a unique circumstance!

[@biddydibdab9180]

Our mother fox had six babies last spring and raised all successfully. What a joy to watch. ❤️

[@bradcobb3418]

Robert what i love about your work isn't just the quality but your empathy and the way that you help them. constructing that artificial lair so that they wouldn't lose a cub/pup to dogs being execised quite legally. I've now stopped watching David Attenborough videos as they seem to focus on all the bad things that happen in nature. we do not need to see that sensationalist coverage.... your sympathetic help whilst covering nature is so refreshing. thank you.

[@user-sh7ck2oj6s]

Absolutely amazing! Hats off to the person who built such a nice playground for fox cubs.

[@petersterling5334]

Great Work Robert! Its Amazing that the Two Mums are Suckling all the Kits no matter who is the Mother!

[@janetturner7489]

So enjoyed seeing the fox clan. Beautiful.

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeffj2495]

STELLAR photography as usual. And great narration too. Frankly I remember every single vid on this channel is amazing. Here in Austin, TX, we get little foxes. They come through our urban neighborhood every couple of years, clearing out the little wildlife like squirrels. But they never bother our cats. One year we counted 2 little babies. The adults are fearless. I got within 20 feet of one of the adults once. Beautiful animals.

[@Arelenedhel]

From what I gather, foxes usually get along with cats.

[@kennethnovak2673]

Absolute joy to watch. Thanks for doing your part to protecting our invaluable animal kingdom!!

[@hugoyuugo1300]

We saw a young fox in our sub urb in France. His mother was most likely near. There are chickens near too, hence why haha Unfortunately, foxes in France are considered like cockroaches. Cruel hunting methods happen. I pray they escape but... It's a pleasure to see that foxes have hope in GB.

[@NtoTheM]

They'll manage. I saw foxes in the middle of Berlin, can you believe that? If they manage to make it there they'll make it anywhere.

[@hugoyuugo1300]

@@NtoTheM yes 😊 ... not against cruel French hunters... who do not hesitate to torture them, or provoke people who defends them by spilling... ...😥 That was my point. The young fox and its mother live near. They are unlikely to be hunted and tortured. But what about the others not near houses 😞 The French hunting lobby is very strong in France, allied with both of the strongest parties and forrest animals are DOOMED for years to come. Robert is an amazing person. But in France, he would be persecuted, and even sued. I hate my country for that. The Senate is the worst... They tried to pass several laws to punish people protecting hunted animals 😡 I am restless about forrest French animals...

[@paulwright9106]

It's our human attitude towards them . But they eat what we see as pests ( mice rats ) , ok they make a noise , but then we do a lot more .

[@GlitzyWitch]

@@hugoyuugo1300 so so sad 😭😭😭

[@GlitzyWitch]

@@paulwright9106 not my attor, never has been. Just those that cannot see that they have as much right living in this planet than you or I. No questions asked

[@flyingfree7]

Wow...the other female must be a daughter...how very precious.

[@radioactivepotato2068]

I grew up on the Alton estate in South London, situated between Richmond park and Wimbledon common. In the span of around 20 years, I went from rarely seeing them, to standing out on the balcony of our block in the early hours and having up to a dozen of them within view at any given moment. They were attracted to the communal bins, audacious beyond belief and would often approach, sniff you, some would try and take a little nip, but generally they were super "tame". I'd stay up until it was light to watch them. We're absolutely blessed to have them as far as I'm concerned.

[@GlitzyWitch]

It's so sad that their homes are constantly being build on fir new housing, fox's stay in the same area and of they've got no home where are they to go. It's good that you keep an eye on them, it's all we can so to keep them safe and make sure they have some food now and again. These estate agents etc needs to stop buying farmland to build on. It's really sad. I hate to see it, 😢😢😢

[@ligerstripe99]

This is called self domestication. Similar things happened to wolves and the wild-cats that became dogs and house cats.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

@@GlitzyWitch More keeps getting built because the gov keeps allowing the population to explode via immigration. That’s the root of it.

[@kayeplaguedoc9054]

"The fox is biting the camera" - I've been watching foxes for years and let me tell you, their two favorite non-food things to chew up are cameras and cell phones. Beautiful video btw

[@nmritter]

FANTASTIC!!!

[@oltreilmare2]

What a beautiful and interesting film about the fox family ! Bravo Robert ! Thank you so much for the opportunity to observe them from such close range !

[@FadalDotCom]

So cute. Foxes seem to need conservation.

[@davidrobinson6353]

Brilliant to witness Great many Thanks 👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Mama-Ames]

~ Mr. Fuller, you are so blessed. Not only are you a gifted Artist with a heart of gold... your Home is a place encompassed by breathtaking beauty; a veritable "Eden." You're able to witness, study, rescue, care for & TEACH US ABOUT the beautiful, interesting, wondrous wildlife who also make this "Eden" THEIR Home. I am so deeply grateful to you... not only for your efforts to rescue, protect & preserve so many lovely creatures, but for sharing with us your work & so much incredible wildlife... with an extraordinary view of the exquisite countryside you & our dear furry & feathered friends call Home. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch. You bring real joy & beauty to the lives of many. From my heart, I thank you.🙏♥️🇺🇲✌

[@noarphilxaty7267]

im always enchanted by vixens... their eyes are mesmerizing

[@andrewsmith3297]

love this channel , seeing the british wildlife upclose is something else , to see them in there own little world is really a great thing to see

[@MaryJones-ud4pn]

That was so cool watching the foxes. Love watching you videos.. Thankyou for sharing. ❤

[@marysaltlife1427]

Your fox video is educational as well as it is beautiful. Thank you very much for sharing these gorgeous creatures with us.

[@Cechil55]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@lucysmith4965]

Amazing. Foxes are so beautiful 🦊 ❤

[@icyBulls]

The production quality and visuals are always amazing!!

[@RobertEFuller]

Thank you, very glad you're enjoying the films!

[@chichitex1252]

This was just delightful! Thanks you for this closeup of these fox families!❤❤❤

[@janetturner7489]

This is amazing, foxes are such fun to watch. Thank you for sharing this video and all the other videos too!

[@TereRuizRodarte]

Oh, My!!! Look at her sweet face!!!! She is as cute as she can be!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!

[@rhondawolfgangbelluscio2548]

So beautiful! I think your friend is wonderful to build a safe environment for foxes in his garden. ❤️🦊🦊🦊❤️

[@4everMech]

Addicted to this Channel! Can't stop watching all your videos! Keep thr amazing videos! Amazing Job!

[@Hollowelldena70]

Best part of my day is watching your nature videos. I learn so much! Thanks

[@RobertEFuller]

Happy to hear that!

[@pattytanur3321]

Robert Fuller so professional and warm. Gr8 work !

[@kek3908]

I had no idea that was even possible in regard to 2 females sharing the cubs and territory. Crazy video and thank you, amazing.

[@andyfyl5680]

The foxes are amazing!

[@lyngruen8607]

Super story 🦊🦊🦊🦊 Beautiful family ❤ Thank you Robert. Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Texas Nana

[@roberts7961]

Another great Vid, two families of foxes living together Omg love it

[@user-qw1yd2mw9q]

Thanks for the happy moments you offer us

[@annietomita8705]

cute foxes!!!!

[@dianac5764]

Thanks, Seymore. Robert, I was watching since your stoats. I shared your latest with my mom and she loves them. Your videos always put a smile on my face, but sometimes tears in the middle.

[@brigittebordelet3944]

Amazing!🤗😊 How lovely they are! 💗😍 Thank you so much for this wonderful video!🙏🌝

[@Harleysport1999]

Beautiful!

[@cccalifornia7206]

Thanks Robert for your great video's!!!💖🤗👍👏

[@louisecotulla4296]

This is absolutely fabulous! Robert you've done it again. Just when I thought the owl vids were my favourites, now you rock the foxes! I have a vixen who lives in a small patch of woods on my 13 acres and i love to watch her mousing scross the fields. The screech owls were at it last night too.

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed watching my film.

[@candylovejoy9805]

The dad fox is looks stunning when he looks into your camera

[@nancydavis4618]

ILOVE red foxes

[@julieprior3126]

How extraordinary! And what luck you and Colin had to attract both families into the new den. Fascinating and beautiful film.

[@ggurks]

wow, that's a big fox family

[@RobertEFuller]

It’s took me a few goes to count them all

[@BillyAlabama]

Your productions are always so interesting and heartwarming. Thank you! 🦊

[@human_boulder]

OMG they are beautiful 🤩🤩🤩

[@neilsarath9812]

Thanks 👍 Bob, yet another great video.

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks the foxes are courting there again this year

[@wolflinggon5664]

Interesting family unit. The big surprise was definitely the second female and her litter

[@marvinc9994]

Gorgeous!

[@jdchinee5118]

I really enjoyed the fox clip n the 2 vixen with their Cubs was most cute n enjoyable it's my first time seeing 2 mom foxes

[@begun65vdal5]

Thx a lot- really good! I like how you and your friend are building these artifical nesting places for different animals. Here in the city of Berlin we also have a wide variety of wildlife (beside 3M people!) including foxes. Had already fox encounters myself.

[@isaknilsson2116]

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks for this!!

[@juliescott9485]

Thank you Robert and friend Col for this amazing and beautiful footage of these families of foxes. Stunning looks into the camera! How lucky are we! 🙂🌻

[@Daggerkein]

Extraordinary video, thank you!

[@RinmizuKioki]

So beautiful! Thank you for this!!! 🥰

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you liked it!

[@richardsimms251]

Great video. RS. Canada

[@june8960]

Absolutely superb videos as always. Can’t imagine how many days you’ve spent to capture those precious moments! Thank you Robert!

[@sidensvans67]

Wonderful video . Thank you .

[@donnajohnson9324]

That was wonderful ❤

[@oliverwoodcock1729]

Wow! What a shocking result, just shows how brilliant the UK wildlife can thrive when given the right conditions. Keep up the great content :)

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks, will do!

[@ShadowsandCityLights]

So both male and female raise the cubs! I learned something new!

[@christophfringer4276]

Hi. I love Foxes, especialy the Redfox so much. absolutley beautiful and cute Video

[@IMAS7X]

Great video! Thank you for sharing. Mama Fox is very smart. She keeps vigilant all the time, safeguarding her babies.

[@nandhinim2676]

Hope to see more on foxes.

[@frankiepost2749]

I can't stop watching this

[@flightlesslord2688]

absolutely enchanting animals.

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

thrilling!

[@wildguy4773]

Two vixens are probably either sister or mother and daughter. Foxes can be really territorial when stranger foxes come. But sometimes sisters or mother and daughter will collide and raise their young. Teamwork is typically seen in pair but being mates a fox and vixen

[@GiacomodellaSvezia]

Kudos to Colin for sharing his garden.

[@HaosBrawler23]

Thats a lot of fox kits for two vixens to take care of it's incredible their taking care of eachothers kits

[@delilahboa]

Totally brilliant xxxxxxxxx

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks 😊 🦊

[@alexlaurens2096]

Gorgeous film.

[@RobertEFuller]

Thanks 😊

[@rogerhewitson7618]

We live 4 doors down from Colin so we get the foxes in our garden every evening.They love chicken wings.Only two cubs this summer.Love the video.

[@diannaantes5262]

I ❤🦊

[@chano6555]

God damn it Robert e. Fuller you’re living my dream

[@tp4346]

The close ups, wowwww!!! Thanks Robert! 🦊

[@thedogman7846]

Yesterday I was watching your channel and hoping that one day you‘d post content on foxes. Now I wake up to this 😍😍😍. That‘s probably a mother with kits and her daughter with her own kits :D

[@Mompfried]

Absolutely breathtaking and amazing. So cute, these foxes with their cubs.

[@Yquarus]

Well, that escalated fastly into a kit-ergarden xD xD hahaha ... I always forget how adaptable foxes are and how social they can be. Thanks for sharing Robert and showing these good mums and dads with their kits!!

[@melissah4084]

Gorgeous! Thank you!

[@shadylady1503]

Wow, such an amazing short film. There's so much animal behaviour we're not familiar with yet, even close to home.

[@staceeAB]

Beautiful, the fox looking right into the camera was stunning 🦊

[@wildlifespotlight511]

They didn't know it was there

[@staceeAB]

@@wildlifespotlight511 they knew something was there

[@wildlifespotlight511]

@@staceeAB ye the smell

[@1squeezyweezy]

that was a real treat . very enjoyable. thank you

[@RobertEFuller]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@elisakozlowsky5469]

I am speechless. Really, this is awesome! Your friend made everything to keep the fox family (more than one) safe, and he did it, while many people just want to keep them away. Congratulations for you and your friend!! Quite beautiful footages!!

[@richardhughes375]

That's amazing. I feed the foxes in my local woods

[@letolethe3344]

Amazing, amazing, amazing! I learned so much from this video. I had no idea what foxes' litter sizes usually were, that foxes ever co-parented, that foxes behaved differently in the city than the country, and much more. I suppose that the dog-fox was the father of both litters, most likely? Thank you!