Red Fox: The Catlike Canine

by J. David Henry

In this engaging introduction to the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), J. David Henry recounts his years of field research on this flame-colored predator. With its catlike whiskers, teeth, and paws, as well as vertical-slit pupils, the North American red fox not only resembles but often behaves like a feline, especially when hunting. Probing the reasons for these similarities, Henry reveals the behavior and ecology of a species that thrives from the edge of suburbia to the cold northern tundra.

Genres: Nature, Animals, Science, Nonfiction, Natural History

130 pages, Hardcover

First published June 17, 1986

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful that a local public library had not discarded this amazing old wildlife book. J. David Henry is such an engaging wildlife writer, and his subject is so fascinating. Foxes are cool, y'all! The book is mostly a report of Henry's field studies in Saskatchewan in the 1970s, which are interesting because he explains how he came up with his research questions, how he set up his experiments, and what he discovered. Sounds dry, but not the way he writes! He injects his discoveries with a dose of philosophy. For example, towards the end of the book he describes an incident where a fox he'd been researching for seven years (which he named My Friend) had caught a vole and played with it (as a cat does) for several minutes before bringing the vole back to its burrow and flicking it directly at the opening! He talks about how this changed his perception of the idea of animals being "programmed" to hunt and kill, but that he also has no explanation for it.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and informative book. One of the best studies of red foxes.

[Steven Kuehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars; a very informative book on the red fox with many interesting observations and anecdotes about the research process. Good as an introductory text on foxes, but seemed a bit sparse in some areas. Second half of the book went into extensive detail on field experiments designed to investigate various fox behaviors, but this was a bit dry and the results didn't come across very clearly (although it did illustrate the difficulties in doing field experiments with limited controls!).

Overall, a good book but not great. Serves as a fair introduction to these fascinating animals, but I'm still looking for the definitive natural history of there remarkable animals.

[Debbie Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. David Henry's in-depth study of foxes turns out to be quite readable in spite of all the details. Graphs and pictures enhance this book. Foxes turn out to be quite interesting, complex creatures and Henry spends much of his time showing just how they have been so successful. There are unforgettable anecdotes like the one where a fox chases an airplane. It is good to know that a book like this can fit comfortably in ethological research and be a fascinating read for amateurs as well. I enjoyed it for its demonstration of what good ethological research is.

[sparrowcrazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of fascinating facts about foxes. Well written with that little additional sense of humour.
Perfect.=)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to know more about the natural history of red fox and this book delivered. Excellent!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author conducted a great study of foxes’ behaviour. He described his experiments and shown utmost dedication to the subject.

[Nyctereutes · Rating 5 out of 5]

For as long as I can remember, I have had an extremely (autism-driven) intense hyperfixation on the True Foxes of the genus Vulpes. I've always enjoyed reading about these lovely animals, both in terms of their biology and evolutionary history, as well as the more cultural connotations and superstitions associated with foxes (this review obviously concerning the former).

Anyway this is a very informative and well-written study of Vulpes vulpes, with some interesting parallels between the ecological niches occupied by wild felines and red foxes, such as Henry noting the predatory hunting strategies employed by red foxes being more comparable to the "stealth" approach to predation employed by wild felines, as opposed to the more common active pursuit method used by other canids such as wolves.

I've already dotted various notes and highlights on my copy, this is one I'll be revisiting often as it hits all the right marks for me.

[Ezri K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on red foxes. For anyone who may have any interest in them this is a recommendation. A book that is to be picked up again, and added to my personal library.
Author does a beautiful job explaining what he has come to observed and learned about the foxes. With the more technical explanations he didn't go over the with them, and do a great job explaining without side tracking too much nor coming off as though the reader is a toddler. His observations are done like one would for learning another culture with respect to them.
He took the time learning about how they hunt. How evolution has played a role in perfecting their skills. Why as a member of the canine species they live solitary and have some of the cat-like features.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great zoology book. If you've ever taken an interest in foxes and wonder why they do what they do, this is the book for you! Henry looks at fox biology with a analytical, scientific approach that doesn't become dull or dry. For example, he sets up experiments to see if the particulars of caching behavior really result in an augmented food supply (and if so, how advantageous the behavior might be), and branches off into physics and projectile geometry to try to find the why behind different type of fox pounces. Fascinating.

[astrid]

While this book was fascinating and gave a lot more insight into fox' ecology and some parts of its behavior, I feel like I was looking for something different. A lot of my questions weren't answered with this book.

Still I have to admit the author did a great job explaining ethological methods and interpretation of results. I believe that everyone can understand this book without knowing much about ethology in general.

[Autumn Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! Everything you need to know about the red fox from behavior to family to food and more! I just wish that the discussion in the book was beyond the Canadian foxes studied by the researcher and alter a little bit more. One of the best books I've ever read and the most informative about the red fox!

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite non-fiction book - very informative, interesting, and a fun read if you love foxes.

[Nikki Li]

More technical/in-depth science than I was up for. How to Tame a Fox is better.