Foxes are neat!
Foxes have a bit of a reputation around the world. Most cultures with foxes see them as michevious at best and a nuisance or worse, sometimes as both! From the messangers of Inari in Japan to the man-eating gumiho of Korea, foxes have quite the reputation.
Most English speaking cultures have heard of the clever fox jumping over the lazy dog and the saying about foxes in the hen house. How can you have such a positive ball of energy next to the negative idea that foxes are oportunistic theives?
Well, it makes more sense when you think about the evolutionary niche that foxes live in. They - along with other infamous species like coyotes and racoons - exist in the zone where they are opportunistic scavengers and small game hunters that are small enough to exist close to humans. Animals in this niche frequently come in conflict with humans.
While other animals similar to the fox are hunted and culled, foxes have the dubious honor of being killed for sport.
For the most part, fox hunting has been outlawed thanks to grassroots efforts, but some areas have yet to ban the sport. Please support organizations that advocate to ban fox hunts (and other animal cruelties) such as:
Sure, foxes are loud, have an unfortunate smell, and get into everything, but they're also cute, cuddly, and incredibly clever.
Check out some nature conserves (or zoos) to meet some foxes in person so you can draw your own conclusions.
It's great fun to watch foxes stealing chees and grabbing eggs. Here's some fun videos that highlight these delightful animals.