Foxes invade human settlements in search of food. In doing so, they leave traces: their droppings. Everyone should be able to recognize and remove the fox droppings with certainty, because it poses health risks.
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Identify fox droppings clearly
In order to avert dangers to your own health and that of the animals, you should be able to recognize the fox droppings when you encounter them. Since other wild animals also leave their legacies in residential areas, as many of the characteristics described below as possible should be used to clearly identify them.
appearance of the feces
The size and shape of the droppings are the first and immediately noticeable criteria. Although it is not sufficient for a clear determination, it can support an initial suspicion.
- Feces are about an inch thick
- the length can vary from two to eight centimeters
- both ends of the droppings are pointed
- the coloring can be grey, black or brownish
Perceptible odor
A fox’s droppings are richly scented. The fresher the fox droppings found, the more they will spread their typical smell. However, in order for you to be able to perceive it, you have to get closer. The smell is described by most people as intense and very unpleasant. As with the color, the exact grade and intensity are also determined by the last food consumed.
Composition of fox droppings
In order to use this point for determination, you may need to dig deeper into the feces. You can poke around in it with a stick and get to the bottom of the consistency and composition from a safe distance. The droppings of the fox show the following characteristics:
- it is quite firm and dry
- coarse components of its food can often be seen
- e.g. B. smaller insects, fur hair or seeds
- however, the absence of this is not an exclusion criterion
place of elimination
stonesFoxes do not bury their droppings like many other domestic and wild animals do. Much more you place the fox droppings in clearly visible and mostly elevated places. They want to use this to mark a feeding ground. This also requires them to place their droppings in many different places. Possible storage locations can be:
- curbs
- stair steps
- tall tufts of grass
- low ground cover
- other low objects
rabies and fox tapeworm
Rabies and fox tapeworm are two serious diseases that are inextricably linked to the fox. Since humans can also become ill, there is great concern that these diseases will also enter their own habitat with the fox droppings. Fox droppings as a possible source of infection can be ruled out, at least for rabies. In the case of the fox tapeworm, there is definitely a risk of infection, especially for pet owners. Dogs in particular like to roll in other people’s feces, so the pathogens can easily get into their fur and ultimately into the house.
Confused with faeces of other animals
Fox droppings can easily be mistaken for cat and marten droppings. The marten excrement also smells unpleasant. The storage location can serve as a distinguishing criterion. In contrast to the fox, the marten looks for a permanent place in the garden, which it then uses to deposit its droppings. Cats don’t leave their droppings out in the open, let alone deposit them in exposed places. Instead, they bury him in sand or loose soil. If you are unsure, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and remove the droppings.
