![]() They also have patches of dark brown on the ears and legs.įoxes have been documented in Britain's southern urban areas since the 1930s. These foxes are easily identifiable from their bushy tails and rusty red coats, with white fur around the muzzle, neck, belly and tip of the tail. In urban areas, the dens - known as earths - are commonly located under sheds, but they can also be among tree roots, in bushes or on railway embankments.įoxes will visit these burrows throughout the year for shelter, although you may also spot them relaxing out in the open during summer. These animals are only absent from the Scottish Islands, except for the Isle of Skye.įoxes dig out dens to provide a safe underground space that is mostly used for raising fox cubs, also called kits. Red foxes are found across Britain in a variety of habitats. The Fox Project, a UK-based charity dedicated to protecting the red fox, state that in 29 years of work and 15,000 foxes rescued, they are 'yet to find a starving adult fox'. Urban foxes primarily scavenge for food, but when they hunt it is usually for birds or small mammals such as rats and mice, helping to keep rodent numbers under control. ![]() You can put locks on the hutch doors to help keep out predators but there are other ways of traumatising a guinea pig which often leads to death. We do not keep any of our animals outside, day or night because of the threat of predators.Foxes have developed strong stomachs and immune systems, so they're unlikely to be affected by rotting food scraps. Some children: Young children should be supervised around guinea pigs at all times and not given the option to put guinea pigs’ lives at risk. A cat with the capacity to do it, can capture and kill a rabbit, let alone a guinea pig. The wire gauge on the run should not be big enough for the cats to get their paws through. However, if access is made, the guinea pigs will be in trouble. Other birds with an interest are magpies and seagulls.Ĭats: Most cats will get bored after the initial arrival of guinea pigs brings out the ‘hunter’ in them. It then transpired that a hawk had been around for a few days prior to the attack. ![]() One morning, she let them out into the aviary and popped indoors, and when she came back one was missing. They always attack and kill baby guinea pigs.īirds: We know of a lady that kept her guinea pigs in hutches in an aviary with no roof. They often attack adult guinea pigs, sometimes killing them. Rats: Rats are experts at gaining access, they can chew through wooden floors and the smallest gaps. The hungrier he is, the worse it gets. He is quite adept in sliding open latches and if he fails, he will be back night after night. If you leave your hutch on grass, he will either knock it over or dig underneath or through the wood to gain access. A fox will dig, scratch, jump on top of the hutch, try to chew his way in, push the hutch over (especially 2-tier hutches with an open base) in fact anything he can to get to his prey. He is normally relentless in his quest to capture and kill.Įven if he has visited but not managed to get to his prey, the guinea pigs will often die of a trauma related heart attack. Once he knows there is a guinea pig or two to be had, he will be back night after night. Outdoor accommodationįoxes: Guinea pigs are very vulnerable to attack by foxes, especially overnight. However endearing your guinea pig and your dog or cat look together as you take a photo, remember that given the opportunity most dogs and cats will do what comes naturally: hunt and kill. If your guinea pig is housed indoors, your dog or cat may present a problem. We would advise you to never leave your guinea pigs out at night in a run or hutch. Predators include, foxes, rats, some birds, some cats, and even some children.
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