The First Ever Video Documentation Of A Fox Fishing For Food
In a paper published in the journal Ecology on August 18th, researchers detailed what they believe to be the first ever instance of a fox fishing for food. With this new information, she now knows that the red fox is the third canid (after wolves and dogs) to hunt fish. Two Spanish researchers watched as a male red fox stalked and captured 10 carp over the course of several hours in March 2016.
Author:Suleman ShahReviewer:Han JuSep 19, 20227 Shares439 Views
The fox froze to the spot. Carp writhed in the shallows of the reservoir, only a few inches from his feet, as they frantically tried to spawn. The fox made a rapid leap into the water via its snout and came up with a huge, squirming carp in its jaws.
Two Spanish researchers watched as a male red foxstalked and captured 10 carp over the course of several hours in March 2016.
In a paper published in the journal Ecology on August 18th, researchers detailed what they believe to be the first ever instance of a fox fishing for food. With this new information, she now knows that the red fox is the third canid (after wolves and dogs) to hunt fish.
Discovery Of A Fish Hunting Fox
Ecologists Jorge Tobajas of the University of Cordoba and Francisco Diaz Ruiz of the University of Malaga discovered a hunting fox while doing research for a separate study.
The fox was the first animal to attract their attention since it stayed still when the researchers approached. In order to take advantage of the situation, Tobajas and Diaz Ruiz have decided to conceal themselves and observe the fox's behavior. Tobajas said:
“„The most surprising thing was to see the fox catching so many carps without making any mistakes. This made us realize it’s definitely not the first time he’s done this.
In March of 2016, red foxes were seen in Spain catching carp in the spring. One can argue that this is the first instance of fox hunting ever documented. Only foxes and wolves remain as canine fish-hunters.
The fox did not immediately eat all of the fish it caught; instead, it concealed the majority of them and seemed to share at least one with a female fox, perhaps its partner.
There have been cases when fish bones have been discovered in fox skeletons. However, researchers were unsure as to whether or not the foxes were really catching the fish or whether they were merely scavenging for dead fish.
Thomas Gabel, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis who did not take part in the study, thinks that the results "confirm" that some foxes "forage" for food. Gable adds:
“„I would be shocked if this was the only fox that learned how to hunt.
Watch a fox fish for carp | Science News
Final Words
In North America, the only other canids known to fish are the wolves that live on the Pacific coast and in Minnesota. The fact that two canid species from different continents have an interest in fishing suggests that this habit may be more widespread than was previously thought.
When it comes to animals that are quite close to people, like the fishing fox, there is still a lot that scientists don't know, as Tobajas explains. It's safe to say that you probably don't like red foxes very much, despite the fact that they're everywhere.
Foxes are considered a nuisance in many areas due to their tendency to attack domestic animals and cattle. This kind of evidence, however, demonstrates the animal's amazing intelligence.
Suleman Shah
Author
Suleman Shah is a researcher and freelance writer. As a researcher, he has worked with MNS University of Agriculture, Multan (Pakistan) and Texas A & M University (USA). He regularly writes science articles and blogs for science news website immersse.com and open access publishers OA Publishing London and Scientific Times. He loves to keep himself updated on scientific developments and convert these developments into everyday language to update the readers about the developments in the scientific era. His primary research focus is Plant sciences, and he contributed to this field by publishing his research in scientific journals and presenting his work at many Conferences.
Shah graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan) and started his professional carrier with Jaffer Agro Services and later with the Agriculture Department of the Government of Pakistan. His research interest compelled and attracted him to proceed with his carrier in Plant sciences research. So, he started his Ph.D. in Soil Science at MNS University of Agriculture Multan (Pakistan). Later, he started working as a visiting scholar with Texas A&M University (USA).
Shah’s experience with big Open Excess publishers like Springers, Frontiers, MDPI, etc., testified to his belief in Open Access as a barrier-removing mechanism between researchers and the readers of their research. Shah believes that Open Access is revolutionizing the publication process and benefitting research in all fields.
Han Ju
Reviewer
Hello! I'm Han Ju, the heart behind World Wide Journals. My life is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of news, spirituality, and science, enriched by melodies from my guitar. Raised amidst tales of the ancient and the arcane, I developed a keen eye for the stories that truly matter. Through my work, I seek to bridge the seen with the unseen, marrying the rigor of science with the depth of spirituality.
Each article at World Wide Journals is a piece of this ongoing quest, blending analysis with personal reflection. Whether exploring quantum frontiers or strumming chords under the stars, my aim is to inspire and provoke thought, inviting you into a world where every discovery is a note in the grand symphony of existence.
Welcome aboard this journey of insight and exploration, where curiosity leads and music guides.
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