the remaking of a kitchen

gary called today and reported that mom fox was out in the backyard with all 6 kits, so we took the camera and went over to join the viewing. the little guys were tumbling and playing and all over the place but staying on the terraces and under the evergreen in diane's yard and down toward the lake. at first mom stayed close by and one or more of the kits would occasionally stop the play and run toward mom. they seemed to play in twos chasing and playing with each other, tumbling over and under and sometimes just pouncing. one of the kits was on the terrace and had some prey, possibly a squirrel. when another kit approached it was obvious, that this prey was not to be shared. we couldn't hear sounds from inside, but it was communicated in some way. eventually mom stationed herself at the top of the slope in diane's yard and appeared to be on guard, alternately watching her family and alert for danger. one of the kits approached her and snuggled briefly then grabbed the tip of her tail in play. she didn't react very much to this, just patiently let the little guy tug away until he tired of the game and ran back downhill to his siblings. mom is very thin and her fur is ragged showing that having 6 kits is not a picnic.
at one point the prey was separated into two parts, one in possession of the one kit, the other over the edge of the terrace. someone grabbed a thin bone and then another grabbed the other end, each pulling like mad until one set of little teeth slipped off the prize. unfortunately i missed that shot! they were outside playing for over an hour.....at about the same time as witnessed with just two kits two days ago.

Labels: foxes