Would/could a fox get a tortoise? - Page 2

emma_mcraf · 24-06-2011, 02:11 PM

I have heard foxes at night and live in a semi-rural location so I don't take any chances and bring in my torts at night. I've also heard that rats can squeeze through a ridiculously small gap, so even with the 2cm mesh I have on the lid of the enclosure, I'm not prepared to risk it!
Guineas and rabbit all safely locked in for the night too!

I'd be beside myself if anything happened to any of them.

yagyujubei · 24-06-2011, 02:42 PM

I like this thread. It seems that UK foxes behave a bit different than they do around here. Where I live , we have red as well as grey foxes (different species)and Eastern Coyotes. I have never seen one in the daytime, and having raised various livestock in the past , have never, to my knowledge had any predation by foxes. They are very cautious of humans. Raccoons are another matter entirely. I wonder if the raccoons keep the foxes away from human areas.

ClareandCo · 24-06-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by touie

It depends what mesh is used, my rabbits have managed to chew through chicken wire so I assume that a fox also could quite easily! 1cm galvanised wire should be ok though!!!

One of our rabbits bit through chicken wire their first winter when indoors! We went to a specialist "place" and got wire that is fox proofed. After the rabbits passed away we used the wire to build the bird aviary. The left over pieces have been fixed to wooden battens which go over the tortoise enclosures along with old fireguards (those that keept children away from open fires) from car boot sales!

Admittedly not the most attractive garden feature, but at least we know they are safe.

Easter Bunny · 24-06-2011, 10:35 PM

Yep thet definately can get through 'rabbit hutch wire' they are very persistant and normally will get what they want if they are not disturbed.
Rabbits etc are usually scared to death before they actually get through. Not sure if tortoises would actually be scared. Does anyone know if they would be?
xx

Steph37 · 24-06-2011, 10:50 PM

I reckon tortoises would be scared.
I dont think foxes would smell tortoises (cos of being cold blooded) through a hutch inside a cold frame would they? If foxes were already in the garden they may but would they really climb a 6 foot fence? I know they do anything if hungry-I too remember the baby twins who were taken by foxes last year, but was just wondering about tortoises being cold blooded. I dont often find all my Horsfields at night if they have dug down but do ensure the others have gone into their 'quarters'.
It was interesting reading about foxes-I didnt recognise them as our foxes from US sites, and dont know about the similarities between racoons and coyotes. NOgt sure what to do now-wish I hadnt thought of it! I can only say that the BCG local groupd havent reported any issues with hundreds living outside 24/7, 365/52. Their hutches are tightly wedged in coldframes-I wouldnt be able to bring them in at night at this time of year, I guess I just need to do a horsfield head count and encourage them into their enclosure rather than let them bury which is what I really wanted for them. Guess I could wire the top. Thanks everyone, Steph

Naturalee · 24-06-2011, 11:59 PM

If your tortoises are in a pen then I reckon you should fox-proof it and then make sure the foxes have easy access to your garden. I used to have foxes coming and going from the garden in my last house (I kept ducks at the time!). I have to say that it was pretty special fox watching from the house of evening and especially in spring when the vixen used to bring her cubs right up to the patio for the food we put out. They're part of our native wildlife and should be welcomed. My ducks were all locked up safe and sound so it is totally possible to enjoy both.

ClareandCo · 25-06-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naturalee

If your tortoises are in a pen then I reckon you should fox-proof it and then make sure the foxes have easy access to your garden. I used to have foxes coming and going from the garden in my last house (I kept ducks at the time!). I have to say that it was pretty special fox watching from the house of evening and especially in spring when the vixen used to bring her cubs right up to the patio for the food we put out. They're part of our native wildlife and should be welcomed. My ducks were all locked up safe and sound so it is totally possible to enjoy both.

Personally, I wouldn't encourage them at all.

Easter Bunny · 25-06-2011, 08:11 AM

I wouldn't either but was just thinking that feeding them might stop them looking for food elsewhere in the garden, like the tortoises, just a thought x

Steph37 · 25-06-2011, 02:57 PM

I'm afraid I wont be encouraging them as though I think they are beautiful and I love (nearly) all animals, they are classed as vermin. I keep my fences high so my cats stay in the garden-they love tortoise watching and I know they would never hurt them, but my mum's cats have even been hurt by foxes. I do feed the birds but speciifcally feed out the front of the house and no doubt the foxes come here when and if they do visit

I found one missing horsfield in the tiniest pot today, I guess with them I will just have to put a grid over the top of the enclosure. I am more worried about seagulls taking the younger ones so have put them very near the house where the fence is high and the garden is narrow, leaving no 'swooping down' space! Steph

kkenny · 25-06-2011, 05:55 PM

Foxes are playful and a tort would make a great toy. They are not to be under estimated for sure!

24-06-2011, 02:11 PM	#11
emma_mcraf Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 11,365	I have heard foxes at night and live in a semi-rural location so I don't take any chances and bring in my torts at night. I've also heard that rats can squeeze through a ridiculously small gap, so even with the 2cm mesh I have on the lid of the enclosure, I'm not prepared to risk it! Guineas and rabbit all safely locked in for the night too! I'd be beside myself if anything happened to any of them. __________________ Emma Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie

24-06-2011, 10:35 PM	#14
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	Yep thet definately can get through 'rabbit hutch wire' they are very persistant and normally will get what they want if they are not disturbed. Rabbits etc are usually scared to death before they actually get through. Not sure if tortoises would actually be scared. Does anyone know if they would be? xx __________________ Lynne x

24-06-2011, 11:59 PM	#16
Naturalee Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 94	If your tortoises are in a pen then I reckon you should fox-proof it and then make sure the foxes have easy access to your garden. I used to have foxes coming and going from the garden in my last house (I kept ducks at the time!). I have to say that it was pretty special fox watching from the house of evening and especially in spring when the vixen used to bring her cubs right up to the patio for the food we put out. They're part of our native wildlife and should be welcomed. My ducks were all locked up safe and sound so it is totally possible to enjoy both. __________________ Lee 0.0.3 Red-footed Tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) 0.0.2 Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) 1.1.0 Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) 2.1.2 Crested Geckos (Rhachodactylus ciliatus) 1.1.0 Royal Pythons (Python regius) 0.0.1 Dumeril's Ground Boas (Acrantophis dumerili) 1.0.0 Egyptian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus aegyptius) 1.2.0 Pugs

25-06-2011, 08:11 AM	#18
Easter Bunny Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Kent Posts: 5,337	I wouldn't either but was just thinking that feeding them might stop them looking for food elsewhere in the garden, like the tortoises, just a thought x __________________ Lynne x

25-06-2011, 05:55 PM	#20
kkenny Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Warwick Posts: 1,303	Foxes are playful and a tort would make a great toy. They are not to be under estimated for sure! __________________ Karin Spartacus, THB, March 2013 Henry, THB, July 2008

24-06-2011, 02:42 PM	#12
yagyujubei Member Incubating Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Homerville, Ohio, USA Posts: 119	I like this thread. It seems that UK foxes behave a bit different than they do around here. Where I live , we have red as well as grey foxes (different species)and Eastern Coyotes. I have never seen one in the daytime, and having raised various livestock in the past , have never, to my knowledge had any predation by foxes. They are very cautious of humans. Raccoons are another matter entirely. I wonder if the raccoons keep the foxes away from human areas.

24-06-2011, 10:50 PM	#15
Steph37 Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 361	I reckon tortoises would be scared. I dont think foxes would smell tortoises (cos of being cold blooded) through a hutch inside a cold frame would they? If foxes were already in the garden they may but would they really climb a 6 foot fence? I know they do anything if hungry-I too remember the baby twins who were taken by foxes last year, but was just wondering about tortoises being cold blooded. I dont often find all my Horsfields at night if they have dug down but do ensure the others have gone into their 'quarters'. It was interesting reading about foxes-I didnt recognise them as our foxes from US sites, and dont know about the similarities between racoons and coyotes. NOgt sure what to do now-wish I hadnt thought of it! I can only say that the BCG local groupd havent reported any issues with hundreds living outside 24/7, 365/52. Their hutches are tightly wedged in coldframes-I wouldnt be able to bring them in at night at this time of year, I guess I just need to do a horsfield head count and encourage them into their enclosure rather than let them bury which is what I really wanted for them. Guess I could wire the top. Thanks everyone, Steph

25-06-2011, 02:57 PM	#19
Steph37 Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 361	I'm afraid I wont be encouraging them as though I think they are beautiful and I love (nearly) all animals, they are classed as vermin. I keep my fences high so my cats stay in the garden-they love tortoise watching and I know they would never hurt them, but my mum's cats have even been hurt by foxes. I do feed the birds but speciifcally feed out the front of the house and no doubt the foxes come here when and if they do visit I found one missing horsfield in the tiniest pot today, I guess with them I will just have to put a grid over the top of the enclosure. I am more worried about seagulls taking the younger ones so have put them very near the house where the fence is high and the garden is narrow, leaving no 'swooping down' space! Steph

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