When we think of foxes in the UK, the iconic red fox (Vulpes vulpes) often comes to mind, roaming the countryside or slipping through urban streets. However, foxes in the UK have a far more complex and varied history than many realize. While the red fox is now synonymous with British wildlife, historical records and folklore reveal a much richer tapestry of fox types and behaviours shaped by centuries of human intervention, changing landscapes, and evolving cultural attitudes.
From the 13th to the 18th century, human activities—including agricultural expansion, the rise of organised foxhunting, and predator control measures—became central in shaping the fox population and distribution across the UK. These activities not only impacted native foxes but also led to the introduction of foreign fox species, including the silver fox, which contributed to the genetic diversity of modern fox populations. This complex interplay between native and non-native species has had lasting effects, and even today, foxes continue to adapt to the challenges of urbanisation and human interaction.
Three Fox Types for Three Terrains: The cur, mountain, and mastiff foxes exemplify the diverse ways in which foxes adapted to distinct terrains in the UK. The cur fox, the most abundant of the three types, was commonly found in rural lowland areas, and was known for its cunning nature. The larger mountain or hill fox thrived in the rugged highlands of Scotland, Wales, and the Lake District, showcasing its resilience in the UK's most extreme environments. In contrast, the mastiff or terrier fox was more frequently encountered in urban areas, smaller and stockier than its relatives. These three types of foxes illustrate how different landscapes and environmental pressures shaped their evolution and distribution, revealing a richer historical relationship between foxes and their habitats.
Agriculture and Habitat Loss: Beginning in the 13th century, the enclosure movement transformed much of Britain's open countryside into enclosed farmland. This shift in land use greatly reduced the natural habitats available to wildlife, including foxes. As fields were enclosed, foxes were forced into smaller, fragmented areas, bringing them into direct conflict with farmers. Foxes, particularly known for preying on poultry, became a target for predator control measures as farmers sought to protect their livestock.
Today, habitat loss remains a significant issue for foxes, driven by ongoing urbanisation, infrastructure development, and agricultural intensification. Natural landscapes continue to shrink, pushing foxes into urban environments where food sources are more readily available. Despite their adaptability, foxes receive little legal protection in the UK, and their 'right to be' in either rural or urban settings is often challenged. This lack of formal protection leaves them vulnerable to control measures, even as they lose more of their natural habitats to human expansion.
The Rise of Foxhunting: By the 16th century, the role of foxhunting evolved from a means of pest control to a popular aristocratic sport. Organised foxhunting with hounds and horses gained traction in the late 17th century, further increasing pressure on fox populations. The growing popularity of this sport, particularly among wealthy landowners, intensified the drive to control fox populations. Foxes were actively pursued from rural areas, often forcing them toward urban fringes, marking the early stages of urban fox adaptation.
The relentless pursuit of these animals led to the greyhound fox becoming extinct during this period, underscoring the significant impact of hunting practices on the diversity of fox species in the UK. Despite an official ban on fox hunting in 2005, the practice continues in various forms, often justified by proponents as a matter of tradition and carried out through methods like drag and trail hunting. These activities perpetuate the longstanding conflict between humans and foxes, with legal loopholes allowing some groups to operate outside the bounds of the law.
Predator Control and Population Decline: From the Middle Ages through the 18th century, foxes were systematically targeted as part of predator control efforts. Widespread use of trapping, poisoning, and hunting, along with regional bounties, incentivized the reduction of fox populations. These measures, combined with the rise of sport hunting, led to noticeable declines in fox numbers and contributed to the extinction of some local types.
Today, organisations that promote fox hunting argue it is a more humane method of control compared to more lethal practices like trapping and poisoning. They point to fox population declines on their lands, potentially linked to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation, as reasons for continuing fox-hunting as the better form of predator management. At the same time, reports from wildlife rescues and mammal surveys suggest foxes remain one of the most frequently spotted animals, especially in urban areas.
Urbanisation and Adaptation: As urbanisation began in the 17th and 18th centuries, some foxes adapted to the changing environment, taking advantage of human settlements as new sources of food. Waste and other human by-products provided foxes with alternative sustenance, marking the early stages of what would become today’s thriving urban fox populations.
Over time, some foxes have exhibited bolder behaviour, showing less fear of humans and increased interaction with urban environments. This gradual adaptation has been likened to a form of self-domestication, where urban foxes have learned to navigate human-dominated spaces with ease, exploiting new food sources like waste and refuse. This process has led to increased boldness and visibility, particularly in cities, and is reflected in the changing appearance of some urban fox populations.
Importation of Foreign Foxes: During the 17th and 18th centuries, hunting clubs and landowners sought to bolster fox numbers by importing foreign foxes, primarily from Europe. These were mostly red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and while their introduction was aimed at enhancing hunting opportunities, it inadvertently introduced new genetic diversity into the British fox population.
The silver fox  (Vulpes vulpes), a North American melanistic form of the red fox, was particularly prized for its fur. By the 18th century, estates across Britain began importing silver foxes from North America, both for fur farming and hunting. Although the introduction of these foxes had a limited direct effect on native populations, it contributed new genes to local fox populations, particularly in more isolated regions.
Exotic Pets and Hybridisation: In recent years, the release or escape of captive-bred exotic silver foxes has introduced new genetic elements into wild fox populations. These captive-bred foxes, often possessing non-native melanistic mutations, have occasionally interbred with wild foxes, albeit infrequently. The presence of these exotic traits has raised concerns about the potential impact on the genetic integrity of native populations. While the silver morph remains rare due to its recessive nature and lower survival rates in the wild, its genes have nonetheless integrated into the genetic makeup of some British fox populations.
This blending of genetic traits can lead to increased expression of the silver morph in the wild, potentially altering the overall phenotype and behaviour of the population. Additionally, hybridisation may influence aspects such as, adaptability and survival, as these new genetic traits interact with the existing gene pool. This interbreeding also raises concerns about the potential impact on the genetic integrity of native populations and the introduction of various health risks. As the landscape of fox populations continues to evolve, understanding the implications of hybridisation and the introduction of exotic genes becomes increasingly important for conservation efforts aimed at preserving the unique characteristics of native foxes.
Modern Climate Change and its Impact on Foxes: Climate change significantly threatens fox populations in the UK by altering habitats and reducing biodiversity. Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns disrupt the environments that foxes rely on for food and shelter. Urbanisation, compounded by climate change, further fragments natural landscapes, limiting access to essential resources.
The loss of prey species due to ecological instability also impacts fox survival, particularly for specialised types like the mountain fox, which depend on specific habitats. Additionally, extreme weather events, such as flooding and heatwaves, challenge their adaptability and resilience. As climate change reshapes the landscape, effective conservation efforts become increasingly vital to ensure the survival and diversity of foxes in the wild.
Boldness and Self-Domestication: One fascinating result of this urban adaptation has been the gradual appearance of certain physical traits linked to domestication, such as piebalding, which manifests as white spotting in the fur. Similar to traits seen in domesticated animals like dogs, these changes in foxes may be linked to genetic shifts associated with tameness and reduced aggression.
The appearance of these traits is tied to the same behavioural shifts that make urban foxes more comfortable around people, leading some researchers to compare this process to the famous "domesticated fox experiment" in Russia, where similar physical and behavioural changes were observed over generations of selective breeding for tameness.
Summary
Fox populations in the UK have been shaped by centuries of human intervention. From agricultural expansion to the rise of foxhunting and urbanisation, these activities forced foxes to adapt or decline. At the same time, wealthy landowners occasionally imported foreign foxes, inadvertently adding genetic diversity to native populations. In later years, North American silver foxes were introduced for fur and sport, which further diversified the gene pool. While the silver fox remained rare, escapes from fur farms and the release of exotic pets in recent decades have led to a resurgence of this unique morph in the wild.
Today, foxes continue to thrive in both rural and urban environments, adapting to the ever-changing British landscape. The increased boldness of urban foxes, coupled with physical changes like white spotting and piebalding, reflects their self-domestication in response to life near humans. However, modern threats, such as climate change and habitat fragmentation, pose new challenges, making ongoing conservation efforts vital to their survival.
