#ezoredfox

I observe red fox family life in Hokkaido every year using trail cameras. Now that the season has come when wild animals begin preparing for birth, I headed back to my usual forest. Even with some snow still remaining, I found fox tracks and an open den.

After setting up the trail camera, one red fox and two raccoon dogs appeared at different times. It’s still unclear which of them will end up using the den. I’ll continue monitoring the site.

北海道で毎年、キタキツネの子育てをトレイルカメラで観察しています。 野生動物が出産の準備を始める季節になったので、今年もまたいつもの森へ。

まだ雪が残る中、キタキツネの足跡と開いた巣穴を確認しました。 トレイルカメラ設置後、キタキツネ1匹とエゾタヌキ2匹が別々の時間に現れていました。

The father fox continues to search for food and bring it back to his family waiting in the den. The mother fox happily snuggles up to the father, as if to show her gratitude.

Last year, a raccoon was spotted near the red fox’s den as well. At that time, it only approached the den briefly before quickly leaving.

But this year, things are different.

The raccoon has been repeatedly hanging around the den, often appearing at night, and has even entered the den itself completely.

Its behavior seems full of curiosity, almost as if it’s playing.

A trail camera captured a raccoon boldly entering a fox den.

There should be newborn fox kits inside. It's a pretty dangerous situation.

The father fox goes out hunting several times a day, bringing food back to the mother fox waiting at the den.

Deep inside the den, the mother fox stays close to her kits, whose eyes are not yet open, quietly protecting them.

When the kits are newborns, the mother hardly ever leaves the den. 

But as they grow to about two weeks old, she gradually begins to spend more time outside.

This is because the kits become able to maintain their body temperature on their own and can endure short periods without their mother.

However, the mountains are far from a safe place. This year again, a raccoon was seen wandering around the den.

Many animals prey on young foxes — brown bears, martens, owls, eagles, hawks, and raccoons, to name a few. I have witnessed many heartbreaking scenes myself.