Recently there were several sightings of a fox near the tall prairie grasses just next to our playground, and on the bike path. I have yet to see it, but I've heard of several accounts just within the last few days. The only real evidence I found was a nice scat right in the middle of the bike path.
Why would I post a picture of scat (a.k.a., poop)?? Well, it reveals interesting clues as to what the organism eats. If you observe carefully, you will see that the poop has hair in it - suggesting that it's food was a mammal. Look even more carefully, and you might notice a claw embedded in the scat. Now, even I have my limits, so I did not dissect the scat or pull out the claw for a closer look. But, between the actual sightings of the fox and poop that clearly comes from a predator, it's a pretty good bet that the scat came from the fox. What do you think??
As I was scouting about, I also found some more scat. It turns out that foxes are omnivores, and love to eat fruit as well as rodents. This picture of scat, which I found only a few feet from our new building, is full of fruit pits. I've observed that the wild grapes are ripe now, so I believe that is what the fox is also eating.
As I was scouting about, I also found some more scat. It turns out that foxes are omnivores, and love to eat fruit as well as rodents. This picture of scat, which I found only a few feet from our new building, is full of fruit pits. I've observed that the wild grapes are ripe now, so I believe that is what the fox is also eating.
One reason you might find it hanging out by the tall grasses is because the hill is home to many 13-lined ground squirrels - a perfect snack for a hungry fox. Because we disturbed the hill by the new construction, the 13-lined ground squirrels temporarily lost their habitat. As we restore the prairie, hopefully they will return to the hill. But, for now, the fox has to hunt by the prairie grasses. I'm hoping we'll get a photo of the fox soon so I can post it on our nature blog.
Now, speaking of poop, check out the video of a fungus that lives on poop and is the fastest living thing known to man!
Now, speaking of poop, check out the video of a fungus that lives on poop and is the fastest living thing known to man!