Ologies with Alie Ward Urocyonology (LITTLE GRAY FOXES) with Bill Leikam
17 snips
May 28, 2025 
Bill Leikam, a fox behavioral expert and author of "The Road to Fox Hollow," shares his passion for gray foxes. He dives into their unique traits, adorable antics, and their intriguing social dynamics, including amusing 'scat wars' with red foxes. Listeners learn about their parental strategies, diets, and the conservation needs of these elusive creatures. Bill also describes how these tiny foxes adapt to urban environments and reflects on their emotional lives, making for a delightful and insightful discussion about the complexities of living alongside them.
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Gray Fox: The Most Unique Fox
- The gray fox is genetically older than all other canids like wolves and jackals, making it unique among foxes.
- Gray foxes exhibit many cat-like behaviors such as climbing trees and sitting posture, unlike typical dogs.
Avoid Keeping Foxes as Pets
- Pet foxes are challenging due to their need for raw meat, mental stimulation, physical activity, and their destructive indoor behavior.
- They're illegal as pets in most U.S. states and difficult to fully potty train, often peeing indoors.
The 'Scat Wars' Territory Battle
- Bill witnessed a 'scat war' where a red fox tried to take over territory by defecating over the gray fox's scat repeatedly.
- Eventually, the red fox left, but after the gray foxes died from disease, the red foxes returned to the area.
