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To: T-Bird45
We have foxes here and I have a question for a knowledgeable FReeper - Can they be domesticated/made into a pet? Anyone know?
4 posted on 02/05/2005 8:42:15 PM PST by drt1
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To: drt1
Once they've been to the Taxidermist
9 posted on 02/05/2005 8:45:15 PM PST by MJY1288 (Happy Birthday Ronnie, We Miss You!)
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To: drt1

When they're kits they can be tamed somewhat but when they mature nature normally takes over.


11 posted on 02/05/2005 8:47:17 PM PST by fella
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To: drt1

Yes as long as they are caught young they make great pets and any hunter will buy there urine for scent cover !


13 posted on 02/05/2005 8:48:51 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
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To: drt1
"We have foxes here and I have a question for a knowledgeable FReeper - Can they be domesticated/made into a pet? Anyone know?"

Saw a old Russian documentry about experiments at a fox farm. They took the most non-agressive and laid back foxes and did selctive breeding. It was rather amazing, perfectly tame foxes that were identical to domesticated dogs was accomplished in just a few generations.

Being commie Russians, when they terminated the experiment, they killed and skinned all the tame & friendly foxes for their pelts.
19 posted on 02/05/2005 8:53:09 PM PST by Ursus arctos horribilis ("It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!" Emiliano Zapata 1879-1919)
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To: drt1
We have foxes here and I have a question for a knowledgeable FReeper - Can they be domesticated/made into a pet?

Yes. Some fox are naturally less afraid of humans and therefore can be made into pets if hand raised early enough.

Russian scientists were able to breed a domestic fox:

A new breed of fox

20 posted on 02/05/2005 9:02:23 PM PST by null and void (God must love stupid people - He made so many of them... (Not enough to win an election!) -restornu)
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To: drt1

Foxes like wolves cannot be completely domesticated.

In about 1000 generations it might be possible but not likely.

Humans have domesticated animals for many thousands of years and all the ones that were amenable have already been done.

Foxes are singular animals rather than pack animals. It is the pack mutual need that allowed the wolf to be domesticated. The wolf just transferred it's need for a pack from 4 footed and furry to 2 footed and relatively hairless.

A fox could be tamed down but since it doesn't have any need for community it would have no need to please. It likely would not be trainable.


27 posted on 02/05/2005 9:18:49 PM PST by TASMANIANRED (Certified cause of Post Traumatic Redhead Syndrome)
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To: drt1

If you get them very young--yes. As an aside, some people (a sister of mine included) actually have descented skunks! Like a fox--it has to be VERY young (and in the case of a skunk--from a breeding establishment due to rabies)

Be careful, some localities have laws strictly prohibiting domesticating wild critters. Some do not enforce that rule though.


29 posted on 02/05/2005 9:41:13 PM PST by fastattacksailor (Submariners do it deeper!)
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To: drt1
We have foxes here and I have a question for a knowledgeable FReeper - Can they be domesticated/made into a pet? Anyone know?

I had a pet fox when I was a child, and I can testify that they make the most delightful and intelligent pets in the world, combining all of the best features of a cat and a dog. They are brilliantly intelligent, funny, resourceful, amazing. However, you cannot really domesticate one who has grown to adulthood in the wild; you cannot housebreak them; you cannot trust them not to run away; and they are not legal as pets in most states so you can't get veterinary care for them.

41 posted on 02/05/2005 10:04:00 PM PST by Capriole (the Luddite hypocritically clicking away on her computer)
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