We've got a fox that visits our garden regularly - he's there now, lying in the sun by the pond. My question is, can this be the same fox we've been seeing for the last 2 years? It looks like the same one, which has a very lame back leg, but I wonder if it really can be. Can a fox in such poor physical condition actually hunt? Or could he be surviving on food put out by other people? How long do foxes live? Thanks for any advice!
I assume urban ones scavange bins and stuff, or live on what the misguided leave out. In the wild they'd manage about 3 years. If cared for can do 10 to 12 maybe.
According to: http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fox
.... A fox may survive for up to 2 years in the wild, normally, but a lifespan of 10 years has been known.
So maybe it could be the same one. I live on a housing estate, but there's open country nearby. Perhaps he can find enough rubbish etc. Also, knowing the locals, he's probably being fed! Thanks!
Fox's living in urban environments, life is pretty easy, they will survive mostly by scavenging on thrown away food and hand-outs and the odd road kill, unlike their country cousins which mostly hunt for small mammals + seasonal fruit.
18 months-2 years sounds about average but there are always exceptions and 12 years would be exceptional and with old age of course, comes wisdom