Darla is a Silver/cinnamon fox. She was born April
2006. When she was a kit, she looked like a
kitten, as do most baby foxes. As a kit, the
cinnamon color was very prominent in her. As she
got older, the cinnamon color disappeared, and now she
looks like a silver fox. However, once in a while,
mostly during shedding season, she will have some
cinnamon color to her.
DARLA'S
INTRODUCTORY:
When I did the introductory, I had to do this with the
dogs, Daryl and Larry (raccoon).
I put her in a 3x4 dog cage with a litter box, hiding
spot and covered parts of the cage to help her feel
secure. I gave her a day or so to adjust to her
environment. My dogs were already use to
having foxes, so I didn't need to do much of an
introductory to the dogs. Once Darla adjusted, I would
let Daryl and Larry see her in the cage.
I was very surprised to see how quick Daryl took to her.
Daryl was actually a "helper fox". He would bring
Darla some of his treats and even some of his toys and
set them next to the cage for her. When I seen
that, I figured Daryl would be fine with her. But,
I still did not take any chance, because she was so
small. As Darla got a little bigger, I let her out
with Daryl, under supervision only. Everyone
seem to get along good.
As she was better than half grown, I let her go in their
room and pen.
DARLA'S
APPEARANCE CHANGE:
When you see Darla's
photo gallery, you
will notice the change of appearance in her since she
was a kit. Most kits look more like a kitten. But,
as the fox grows, their tail will begin to develop to a
"fox tail". But, in Darla's case, her coloring
completely changed. She now looks like a silver fox.
Generally, silver fox kits are black.
Darla was a cinnamon color.
DARLA'S
FAVORITE FOOD:
Darla's favorite treat is raw eggs, chicken jerky, as
treats.
Her regular diet is cooked chicken, dry cat food and can
cat food.
Darla also gets liver when available. Her favorite
meat is deer meat.
All three foxes get the same type of food.
DARLA'S DISPOSITION:
When Darla was young,
she was very friendly. As she got a little older, she
begin to be
shy. I didn't spend the required time with her.
However, she is coming around more,
and not as shy. She is not like Daryl and she is
not aggressive, just shy.
Darla does like the dogs. She grooms them as she
does Daryl. I watched her method,
and do the same on Daryl (which he loves)
DARLA'S SHEDDING:
Darla sheds the same was Daryl and most other foxes do.
Their fur comes out in hunks.
When Darla sheds, The cinnamon color is a little more
prominent on the under coat.
But, in the process of her shedding, her color will
change back to the "silver fox" color"
As with most foxes, She will have her winter coat by
November.
DARLA'S LIVING QUARTERS:
Darla, as do the other foxes and coons, have their own
room with lots of hiding places. They also have a doggie
door from their room that goes into their 10x20 pen. In
the pen, is a tall tier with about three floors.
They love this, they have a very good view.
They also have a lot of hiding places in their pen. I
still let Darla in the house, but, not 24/7.
Darla loves being outside, especially the tower.
Her and Donnie spend a lot of time there.
DARLA'S PHOTO GALLERY:
Please be sure to look at
Darla's photo
gallery. The photo's are sorted
by the year. Starting at 2006 when she was born.
Darla is more camera shy than Daryl is,
so, I didn't get near as many pictures of Darla as I did
of Daryl.
ARE ALL FOXES
LIKE DARLA JEAN?
NO they are not. Raising a fox can be a lot of
work, understanding and patience. It is very
important to have a lot of activity for foxes,
otherwise, you could have a destructive fox. If you are
considering a fox, please make sure you do your research
and you fully understand a foxes behavior.
Foxes are NOT like dogs, therefore, they need to be
handled different.
There are many fox owners on my message board. Feel free
to join us.
http://sybilsden.com/bb/
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