2006-12-08 00:25:32 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
"The best thing you can do for wild animals is leave them alone, unless they're injured. There are several concerns with feeding wild animals:
* The most serious problem is that the animals may become habituated to people. As they lose their fear of people, they will become bolder in approaching people and may put themselves in hazardous situations they would normally avoid. Not all people are well-disposed towards wildlife, remember. Those who aren't actively hostile may be afraid of an over-friendly animal, especially a raccoon or a fox, notorious rabies carriers (although raccoons and domestic dogs are more likely to be carrying rabies than foxes are).
* Another concern is that the animals, if fed regularly, will come to depend on humans for their food. They won't starve if you stop feeding them, but they will be hungry and unafraid of people, and could get very aggressive in approaching other people.
* There is always the fact that these are wild animals.
If foxes frequent your land, you should enjoy their presence and disturb them as little as possible."
2006-12-08 00:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by Albertan 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! During this past summer a mother fox gave birth to four babies under our pool deck, which is quite large. When they were old enough, about six weeks old, she came during the night and moved them to a less occupied area without humans around. They stay in an area where they feel safe and secure, and since we live in a rural area, there are a lot of woods around. I see all of them from time to time catching rabbits, field mice. They are wonderful creatures. Don't feed wild animals, they have their own way of feeding themselves.
2006-12-08 08:38:18 · answer #2 · answered by Nancy S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know if it would drink it or not. But I was raised not to feed wildlife unless I was willing to care for it for the duration of it's life because it would stop looking for it's own food. I don't think it is a good idea because sometimes animals could become rabied. Also they would attract other animals and you would no longer be able to enjoy your backyard.
2006-12-08 08:35:50 · answer #3 · answered by Sunshine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you feed them, they will come. Never confuse wild animals with domesticated animal as they stay wild at heart. If you encourage the fox to stay in the neighborhood small pets may begin to disappear in the neighborhood as well.
2006-12-08 08:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by DrB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't do that if I were you. Foxes are wild animals. It could possibly have rabies. They can fend for themselves, but it is still nice to want to be nice to the fox. Just watch from a far if you see it again. Try not to get attached to the fox it is in its own habitat.
2006-12-08 08:36:11 · answer #5 · answered by Jenny lynn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO! Do not encourage visits by wild foxes. They are one of the most common vectors of the rabies virus.
2006-12-08 08:58:00 · answer #6 · answered by PRS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Mammals don't drink milk their whole life.. They only drink milk from the mother when very young. It's us humans that drink cow's milk our whole life?! Aint that bizarre?? If we were supposed to drink milk our whole existence, women would never stop getting breast milk.... Rather give the fox a nice rabbit sausage!
2006-12-08 08:30:00 · answer #7 · answered by Q 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feeding wild animals is a recipee for disaster. It spreads disease and reduces their fear of humans. Wild animals should not be fed anytime by anyone.
2006-12-08 14:45:30 · answer #8 · answered by dtbrantner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want him to come back, then yes. Feeding a wild animal is a nearly surefire way to get it to come back. That won't make him tame though, so be careful.
2006-12-08 08:33:04 · answer #9 · answered by Amy F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that fox can find plenty of food in your back yard mice and birds and dog or cat food if you leave it out side
2006-12-08 22:08:45 · answer #10 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋