Christmas is almost here folks and it’ll soon be time for that fella in the red coat to come sneaking around. Yep, your neighbourhood Fox is on the prowl and shortly after Santa has finished pulling presents out of his sack, your local Fox will be busy trying to pull half a turkey out of your bin bag.

Foxes have lived among us for centuries and, just like Christmas, they’re celebrated in folklore and myths all around the world. Whether the story belongs to the Greeks, Japanese, Celts, Native Americans, Disney or Roald Dahl it is always the same – the Fox is portrayed as cunning, slippery and devious.

I prefer intelligent, adaptable and resourceful - and it’s these traits that have helped the Fox to survive in the modern world. It was the modern world that transformed the Fox’s wild woods into endless agricultural fields, towns, cities, tower blocks and cul-de-sacs.

Traditionally, in the face of development Britain’s wildlife has silently been displaced and died. But where others fled destruction the Fox, like any shrewd opportunist, saw a brave new world of golden opportunities where the dustbins ‘overfloweth and where the streets are paved with cast away kebabs and finger-lickin’ chicken’.

And for me this is the chapter in the Fox’s story that does indeed seem mythical: that in urban Britain there are wild dogs living among us. I can look out my bedroom window and see a relative of the Wolf, Dingo, Jackal and Coyote casually sauntering across my lawn. It’s a touch of the Serengeti in suburban Sussex.

Studies undertaken by the University of Brighton have estimated that there are 20 Foxes per square kilometre in the city. Of course, tradition dictates that some people do not like Foxes. As I child I always viewed the Boxing Day hunt as the antithesis to Christmas; a reminder that amidst this season of goodwill there are still people who are proud to dress up in costumes in a public celebration of their cruelty.

It’s in the bleak midwinter that Foxes are at their most vocal. The blood-curdling, human-like scream of the vixen sounds like something from a Hammer Horror film. This foxy lady is only fertile for a few days and her scream advertises her availability and sparks bow-wows, barks and bickering from amorous dog Foxes. Her cubs will be born about fifty-two days after mating and emerge from their earths in April.

So this Christmas if you’ve had it with the plastic snowmen, the fake tree and the fake sentiments take a short walk away from it all and out into the darkness. Listen for the sound of wild dogs howling at the moon, the sound of survival. Let it stir something wild in your heart.

Merry Christmas everybody and best wishes for 2023.

By Michael Blencowe: Learning & Engagement Officer,Sussex Wildlife Trust
Sussex Wildlife Trust is an independent registered charity caring for wildlife and habitats throughout Sussex. Join Michael Blencowe on our regular wildlife walks and also enjoy free events, discounts on wildlife courses, Wildlife magazine and our guide book: Discovering Wildlife in Sussex.It’s easy to join online at: www.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/join or T: 01273 497532

Fox Elliott Neep Sussex Wildlife Trust.