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Vulpes vulpes schrencki
A sub species of the Red Fox. This one found in the north has a very pale red, almost orange coloured coat with silvery tips , white under the jaw and down the throat and chest. Black tipped ears and paws and characteristic white tip to the bushy tail.
Found in north east Hokkaido south of Nemuro. It was foraging during the day in shallow snow. According to the National Research and Development Agency - Invasive Species of Japan, this sub species is found on Hokkaido and the Kuril Islands in Japanese territory where it is now classed as native. The rest of Japan is inhabited by V v japonica the endemic sub species.
In Japan the red fox has quite a reputation and plays a huge part in Japanese mythology as a spirit that can both shape change and possess people. They were very common and it was usual to see a dozen or more through the day out in full day light. I found them incredibly engaging so perhaps they managed to charm me too!
Spotted on Mar 1, 2019
Submitted on Mar 31, 2019
18 Comments
Thank you Catie, swain 16,18, 3 and cole10 for your comments.
Scissors are smart and they're clever hunters
A fox is my favorite animal
It like a bunny but not small not harmless but is soooooocute
Who thinks this is cutttttttteeee
Amazing series of photos Triggsturner
My pleasure Tukup. Thank you for the comment.
Beautiful series Triggs. Caught with its coat at its peak. Thanks for sharing.
I have updated this spotting as per the alert from Daniele. Thank you for pointing this out, I feel I know a whole lot more about the foxes of Japan than i did when I started this! Its all good stuff. For anyone interested I have also posted a new spotting for the real Japanese Fox - or is it? they are very cunning! ;)
Thank you for your comment Rach. Certainly a rich thick coat on this one.
Stunning. You can certainly see the extra thickness in the coat compared to the European foxes I have seen. A very striking set of images.
I don't blame the animal for being a successful hunter, and I doubt anyone asked the fox if it wanted a trip to Australia. It's lovely to see them in their home range.
Thank you Neil I appreciate your comment. I know they are a terrible pest and ecological nightmare in Aussie but in their home environment I think they are wonderful creatures.
That is a gorgeous animal. As always, a beautiful spotting, Rob.
Hi Daniele, you bring up a very good point. In my initial research V v japonica was quoted as being the endemic sub species throughout Japan while V v schrencki was found further north on the Russian island of Sakhalin. (Wikipedia Red Fox - subspecies) However through your links and looking deeper into it, it does appear that V v schrencki is present on Hokkaido and the Kurils. Also known as the Ezo red fox. There appears to be no reference to where either of the sub species demarkation is within Japanese territory but I also managed to get some great images of a red fox in Honshu which would have to be V v japonica. I am happy to change this spotting and post another for japonica if you feel that would be beneficial? Robert.
What a beautiful series Robert! Maybe you can clarify something for me. The references below seem to indicate that the subspecies found on Hokkaido is V. v. schrencki, and that V.v. japonica is found further south:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.100...
https://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/inva...
http://www.thefoxwebsite.net/populations...
What do you think?
Thank you Antonio. Yes the eyes have it. I loved these guys and was very lucky to get these close ups.
Wow Robert fantastic series,first photo ...what a look,those eyes are beautiful,congrats and thanks for sharing