New Forest Wildlife Park Tel 023 8029 2408 Email [email protected]Asian Short-Clawed Otter Facts Latin Name Amblyonx cinerea Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Mustelidae IUCN status Vulnerable Habitat Fresh water wetlands and mangrove swamps Distribution Indonesia, S India, S China, SE Asia and the Phillippines General Information These otters, also known as Oriental Small-Clawed Otters, are the smallest species of otter in the world. Otters are a member of the weasel family. They are diurnal, active in the daytime and in the wild they eat a variety of fish, crabs, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and small mammals. They use their sensitive webbed feet to find food under rocks on the river bed, their whiskers to detect prey in the water and their strong rudder-like tail to help them swim. Otters also have two layers of fur – one acts as a waterproof coat, the other as a thermal layer. Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution and hunting. Lifespan: Up to 21 years in captivity Fun Fact This species of otter uses special calls to communicate with each other and can vocalise 14 different sounds. They are incredibly dexterous creatures, with the very short claw, they use their paws to search in the shallows for tasty morsels. This skill is often used to practice juggling with stones, shells, grapes or cherry tomatoes! Keeper Notes There are two main families of Asian Short Clawed Otters who entertain the staff and visitors with their cheeky, squeaky antics! Fizzy and Feather are one pair living with 6 of their offspring. The other family are a group of 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
FactsLatin Name Amblyonx cinereaClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status VulnerableHabitat Fresh water wetlands and mangrove swampsDistribution Indonesia, S India, S China, SE Asia and the Phillippines
General InformationThese otters, also known as Oriental Small-Clawed Otters, are the smallest species of otter in the world. Otters are a member of the weasel family. They are diurnal, active in the daytime and in the wild they eat a variety of fish, crabs, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and small mammals.
They use their sensitive webbed feet to find food under rocks on the river bed, their whiskers to detect prey in the water and their strong rudder-like tail to help them swim. Otters also have two layers of fur – one acts as a waterproof coat, the other as a thermal layer.
Threats: Habitat destruction, pollution and hunting.Lifespan: Up to 21 years in captivity
Fun FactThis species of otter uses special calls to communicate with each other and can vocalise 14 different sounds. They are incredibly dexterous creatures, with the very short claw, they use their paws to search in the shallows for tasty morsels. This skill is often used to practice juggling with stones, shells, grapes or cherry tomatoes!
Keeper Notes There are two main families of Asian Short Clawed Otters who entertain the staff and visitors with their cheeky, squeaky antics! Fizzy and Feather are one pair living with 6 of their offspring. The other family are a group of 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
FactsLatin Name Bison bonusus bonasusClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily BovidaeIUCN status VulnerableHabitat Deciduous and mixed forests and adjacent meadowsDistribution Historically all lowland areas of Europe
General InformationSadly, hunted to extinction in Europe with the last remaining wild bison being shot in 1927. They are now being re-introduced into many European countries through a successful captive-breeding programme.
Bison feed mainly on grasslands and will browse on shoots and leaves.
The rutting season is from August to October with the cows giving birth to one calf 264 days later.
Fun FactEuropean bison are surprisingly agile and can clear 3m wide streams or 2m high fences from a standing start
Keeper Notes Our three half brothers arrived in June 2011 from Fota Park, in Ireland. We hope to be a part of the European Captive Breeding Programme shortly. Janek and Wotjek were born in 2007, Leszek was born in 2008 and they all have the same father but different mothers.
FactsLatin Name Pteroneura brasiliensisClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status EndangeredHabitat Rainforests and wetlands of South AmericaDistribution Endemic to South America mainly the Brazilian Amazon
and bordering areas.
General InformationA Giant Otter can eat up to 5 kg of fish per day but will also eat crabs, small mammals, snakes etc.
They live in family groups of 15 to 20 otters and are the most vocal of all the otters as they keep in contact with their group by constant chatter.
Habitat destruction and hunting for their fur are the major causes of their decline.
Fun FactThey love to eat piranha fish in the Amazon - but are always very careful to eat the head first!!! Good Idea!
Keeper Notes Simuni and Akuri were the first ever Giant Otters to be born in the UK at our sister park The Chestnut Centre, in Derbyshire, in June 2010.
FactsLatin Name Cervus elaphus scoticusClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily CervidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Lowland and highland grasslands, moorland, forests, tundra
Distribution Asia, Europe, Russia also introduced to many countries
General InformationThe Red Deer is the UK’s largest land mammal and is native to our shores. The autumn rut is an impressive wildlife spectacle when the males size each other up by roaring and strutting, at first, without violence but this can soon escalate to fighting with interlocked antlers sometimes with fatal results.
A stag can weigh up to 240kgs and a hind up to 170kgs.
Only the stag has antlers which start to grow in spring but shed at the end of winter the following year. The antlers are composed of bone which grows at about 2.5cm per day.
Fun FactA Red Stag’s antlers are called branch antlers as they resemble the branches of a tree.
Keeper Notes Our Red Deer Herd is headed up by a magnificent Stag called Morris. The hinds are of different origins some are as rescues others are from UK deer parks. This helps maintain a healthy bloodline. Unfortunately, our native wild red deer can cross-breed with Japanese Sika, various conservation groups are trying to control this serious issue in the UK.
FactsLatin Name Meles melesClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Woodlands, forests and adjacent grasslandsDistribution Throughout Europe and Russia
General InformationOne of the largest members of the Mustelid family with a strong, powerful robust body of dense silvery grey fur. Their heads have the distinctive black and white striped pattern and white tips to the ears. Badgers can weigh up to 20–24 kg in autumn, before being less active over the winter but they do not hibernate.
Badgers are very sociable creatures, living in a family group of 5 – 20 members. They have a strong hierarchy and can be very territorial towards other rival family groups. A group of badgers is called a clan or cete or colony.
Fun FactOld, well-established setts, similar to ours, may have over 50 rooms underground with as many as 30 entrance/exit tunnels on ground level for just one colony!
Keeper Notes Originally, five wild rescue badgers were released into this conservation sett before 1997. Since then keepers have continued to provide food and water to the sett. As you can see the old family have progressed with some impressive excavation works to their home. Some years, we have spotted several youngsters out playing in the late evening - even co-habiting with foxes!!
FactsLatin Name Lutra lutraClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status Near threatenedHabitat Highland and lowland lakes, steams, marshes and
coastal watersDistribution Range covers Europe, Asia and Africa in many of these
areas the otter is extinct or reduced to small fragmented groups
General InformationOtters are semi-aquatic animals eating fish, frogs, crabs, small birds and mammals. In most of its range it is nocturnal except in the Shetlands where it is diurnal. The Eurasian otter is a solitary animal with the female rearing the cubs on her own. This otter is extremely susceptible to human destruction of its territory although there are signs of increased otter activity closer to towns etc.
Fun FactOtters don’t just have whiskers around the muzzle and nose, they have a few stiff whiskers on their elbows too – this helps them to detect vibrations in the water to track down moving prey.
Keeper Notes We care for around 15 – 20 wild rescue otters every year until their release at approximately 12-15 months old.
We have 5 resident Eurasian Otters - Sixpence, Doris, Topaz, Fenn and Millie, who have come from various rescues over the years and are unable to return to the wild - they have a permanent, safe, home at the Park.
FactsLatin Name Spermophilus citellusClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily SciuridaeIUCN status VulnerableHabitat Short grassland-steppes also lawns,sports fields,
pastures etc always on light well-drained soil for burrow excavation
Distribution Endemic to central and south-eastern Europe - found at altitudes up to 2,500m
General InformationThis lovely ground squirrel is in serious decline and now extinct in many areas leaving fragmented, unviable groups. This situation is mainly due to loss of habitat as the grass-land steppes are converted to cultivated fields or forestry.
It has an omnivorous diet of seeds, roots, shoots, flowers and some insects.
Fun FactThey hibernate for nearly 7 months of the year (longer than Dormice).
Keeper Notes In 2012, our only Souslik was joined by a pair from Edinburgh Zoo. After hibernation, in spring 2013, keepers were thrilled to spot youngsters and since then we believe at least three litters have been born. These shy creatures are very satisfying to watch for our more patient visitors and tend to be more active in the afternoon.
FactsLatin Name Mustela putorius putoriusClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Lowland areas below 500m woods, forest, riverbanks,
sand dunes and farmsDistribution Throughout Europe and Northern Africa but absent in
Ireland
General InformationA solitary and mainly nocturnal animal with a dark brown pelage and cream underbelly. It has a distinctive dark banded facial mask. Polecats hunt for small rodents, birds and amphibians.
Young are born in early summer in a litter of 2 to 5 kits.
The European Polecat is slowly increasing in numbers and range in the UK after rigorous persecution by gamekeepers.
Fun FactPolecat actually derives from the nickname ‘Poulet-chat’ from the French meaning Chicken-Cat (hencat or poultry-cat) as wild polecats have a habit of breaking into chicken farms. Then farmers realized they could encourage these creatures to keep the rats away and they became quite friendly … the beginning of the domestic ferret!
Keeper Notes Over the years the Park has been involved with the UK Polecat Studbook. We aim to keep pure bloodlines for captive breeding because the wild population of polecats was in decline the UK.
Recently, the Polecat population appears to be recovering and we now have two non-breeding pairs.
FactsLatin Name Dama damaClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily CervidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Grasslands and mixed woodlandDistribution Native to west Eurasia but introduced widely elsewhere
General InformationThe male is a buck, the female a doe and the young a fawn which is born in late spring. They have a variety of 4 colours from nearly white to nearly black. The most common is chestnut with white spots these are more pronounced in the summer coat.
These large herds of deer are often spotted around the New Forest. They have a rather complicated history in the Uk but it has been believed for many years that the Normans introduced them into the UK for hunting in the royal forests. Fallow deer are now widespread throughout the UK and Europe.
Fun FactA fallow buck’s antlers are called palmate or spoon antlers as they have a large flat area like a palm or spoon.
Keeper Notes In the Deer Encounter there are three, friendly wild rescue fallow deer.
Dotty, a doe who arrived in 2003, Freda, a doe,who arrived in 2007 – both are light coloured (menel). Loki, a buck, who arrived in 2004 and is dark coloured (melanistic).
FactsLatin Name Mustela putorious furoClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status Not listedHabitat Forests and semi-forest habitat.Distribution Worldwide as pets or working animals for hunting
General InformationThere is evidence that ferrets have been domesticated for over 2,500 years. Their ancestor is the polecat.
The fur of ferrets has been bred to produce a variety of colours from silver to chocolate.
They can be easily house trained to use a litter box and can be great pets although they may bite. As carnivores they require a meat-like diet regularly throughout the day due to a high metabolic rate.
Fun FactFerrets can sleep for around 18-20 hours a day and the few hours left are spent happily frolicking around with other ferret friends. They are often known to go into a ‘dead or deep’ sleep where only very shallow breathing is difficult to spot. Even upon picking them up sometimes they take a while to come around!
Keeper Notes We have a variety of ages and colours of our resident ferrets all of whom are ex-pets, either re-homed with us or have been handed in as lost pets discovered wandering in peoples garden/houses.
If you would like to keep a ferret check this website first:
FactsLatin Name Canis lupus occidentalisClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily CanidaeIUCN status Least concern globally but several regions e.g. Western-
Central Alps classified as “endangered” Habitat Wolves can exist in most habitats if there is plenty of prey.
They do not exist in rain-forests or real desertsDistribution Remote areas of Canada, Alaska, Northern USA, Europe
and Asia
General InformationWell-known for their family life and hierachy the dominant wolf is called an Alpha male and is pack leader to 12 to 15 animals and the Omega wolf being the most subservient member of the pack.
Known as keystone predators as they regulate herd animals by taking out the sick and weak animals.
Fun FactFun Fact - their spine-tingling howl attracts the attention of the whole pack so keeping each other safe, alert and in contact.
A wolf’s sense of smell is 100 times better than a human’s and can smell other animals up to 1 mile away!
Keeper Notes Our two males, Rocky and Chaser, and three females, Aspen, Cedar, and Idaho, are from the same litter born in June 2010 at Colchester Zoo. They are not part of a breeding programme as their bloodline has been bred very successfully in the UK.
FactsLatin Name Micromys minutusClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily MuridaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Areas of tall dense vegetation including cornfields,
hedgerows, bamboo stands, reedbedsDistribution Range across Europe (although absent from Scandinavia)
from UK to Korea
General InformationSmallest of the British rodents weighing only 5 to 11gm. They live up to 18 months feeding mainly on seeds, fruits and bulbs. Occasionally, they eat insects, moss and fungi often caching their food underground for a winter store.
Breeding nests are built high above the ground and are made from woven grass where the female gives birth to 1 to 7 young up to 3 times each year.
Fun FactThe only Old World mammal to have a truly prehensile tails, this means the tail automatically curls around anything it touches to hold them on, such as when they are climbing around on thin stalks and stems of tall grasses.
Keeper Notes Our Harvest Mice breeding programme has been amazingly successful over the 2012-2013. We are delighted to continue working alongside university students and other organisations to make sure one of our tiniest creatures in the UK is fully supported.
FactsLatin Name Erinaceus europaeusClass MammaliaOrder EulipotyphlaFamily ErinaceidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Thrives in man-made habitats such as gardens, orchards,
vineyards and woodlandsDistribution Endemic to Europe including Russia
General InformationThe hedgehog is abundant throughout its range and a popular visitor to gardens in the UK. It is mainly nocturnal when it forages for worms, slugs, earwigs, fallen fruits, eggs and surprisingly it will eat young grass snakes and adders as they are somewhat immune to snake venom. It usually hibernates in winter which is followed by the breeding season. In the wild they may only live a few years but could reach up to 10 years.
Fun FactHedgehog babies called hoglets are born naked and blind. But within 48 hours, a layer of fine white prickles emerge through the skin to protect them.
Keeper Notes Our resident hedgehogs are all rescues who cannot return to the wild for a variety of health problems, frequently eyesight trauma. At present we have Penelope, arrived 2012, and Maple, arrived 2010, both are girls from “Little Prickles Hedgehog Rescue.”
Our boy is Mr. Hedges, who came in from a local family in 2012.
FactsLatin Name Lynx lynxClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily FelidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Forests, steppes, mountains and lowlands in winterDistribution Europe, Asia and Siberia
General InformationLike most cats the Lynx prefers hunting at dawn and dusk lying up during the day in caves and dens etc. The favored prey are deer but will take small mammals and carrion when available.
The young are born once a year and are fully weaned at 5 to 6 months.
This animal has been successfully re-introduced into many European countries and is under consideration for re-introduction the UK.
Fun FactA Lynx is able to jump up to 7ft from a standing start.
The Lynx have eyesight so powerful and such an acute sense of smell that they can detect a mouse at 75 metres away!
Keeper Notes Grishkin was born in 2003 and Munchkin in 2005, both have joined us from Norfolk Wildlife Park. Both are females who are not part of the captive breeding programme in the UK as their bloodline has been very successfully bred.
FactsLatin Name Lontra canadensisClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Rivers, lakes, marshlands and adjacent forested areasDistribution Throughout United States of America and Canada
General InformationOtters are semi-aquatic animals eating fish, frogs, crayfish, small birds and mammals. In the water they have few natural predators such as alligators, crocodiles and killer whales and polar bears.
On land they are more vulnerable to lynx, cougars, wolves etc.
In the wild they can live up to 13 years but in captivity some have survived to 25 years.
Fun FactNARO are diurnal and once fed they will spend the day resting or charging round the enclosure diving in and out of the water.
In the 1980’s this otter was rare or extinct in 26 of the 50 states of North America. Today, thanks to conservation efforts by zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centres, the number is now just 15 states and the work continues.
Keeper Notes Our two handsome twin brothers, Hudson and Jasper, were born here in 2001.
FactsLatin Name Martes martesClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily MustelidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Woodlands, forests and adjacent grasslandsDistribution Northern Europe including United Kingdom, Europe,
Asia and Russia
General InformationThis stunning, elusive animal has a chestnut brown fur and a creamy throat bib. Pine marten’s main diet are small mammals and birds but they will also forage for seasonal fruits and berries. They are territorial marking their range with faeces (scats).
After much persecution and habitat loss leading to fragmentation the pine marten is slowly incresing it’s range and there have been some sightings in the north of England and Wales.
Fun FactThey are so agile that they can jump distances of up to 20ft between the trees and descend head first easily due to their sharp claws and hind legs that can swivel around 180degrees – quick enough to catch a squirrel!
Keeper Notes There are very few collections around the UK that keep Pine Martens. They are difficult to breed in captivity and after many unsuccessful years with one pair we now have a new pair, Hamish and Rolo, put together this year for breeding season.
But after a few hectic weeks, it will be April/May next year before we find out if they have been successful.
FactsLatin Name Arvicola amphibiusClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily CricetidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Banks of slow moving rivers, streams and waterwaysDistribution Widespread throughout Europe
General InformationTheir waterside burrows have many floor levels and entrances to distribute water during flood times.
Water voles eat mainly grass and plants near the waters edge however they will venture inland to forage for roots,shoots, bulbs and fruit etc.
Although globally the water vole is plentiful, in the UK its numbers are decreasing at an alarming rate. In the 1960’s the numbers were around 8 million - the most recent estimate in 2004 suggested only 220,000 remain. This decline is partly due to the presence of the American mink, an aggressive predator, and loss of habitat due to unsympathetic changes in farming and waterway management.
Fun FactRatty in Kenneth Graham’s “Wind in the Willow” is really a water vole.
Keeper Notes In 2011, the Water Vole enclosure was renovated and a few males were kindly given to us from Wildwood Trust, in Kent. We hope to be a part of the UK Conservation Programme in the future.
FactsLatin Name Sus scrofa scrofaClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily SuidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Semi-desert to tropical rain forests, temperate
woodlands, grasslands to agricultural landDistribution Widespread in Europe, Asia and North Africa
General InformationAncestors of our domestic pig the males have 4 growing tusks which are used for fighting off other males in the breeding season.
They were hunted to extinction in the 1600s but were re-introduced for meat farming with the inevitable escapees they are now found in many UK woodlands.
Fun FactBabies are called ‘boarlets’ and have stripy coats until they reach 5-6 months old.
Keeper Notes Like all pigs Wild Boar spend a large part of their day rooting with their snouts. Eventually they clear their enclosure of all vegetation so we have to move them to an adjacent enclosure to allow natural regeneration and some reseeding of the grassy areas.
FactsLatin Name Cervus nipponClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily CervidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Woodlands, forests, heaths, meadows, parkland etcDistribution Native to East Asia but introduced to many countries
including UK
General InformationIt’s name comes from “shika” the Japanese word for deer.
A spotted deer which are more prominent in the summer coat. It’s pelage can range from nearly white to black.
Sika stag have stout upright antlers and the females have 2 distinctive black bumps on the forehead.
Our native red deer can mate with sika deer which is a serious conservation concern.
Fun FactIn the 1900’s, King Edward VII gifted the Baron Montagu of Beaulieu a pair of Sika deer. It is some of their progeny that escaped and now populate the New Forest.
Keeper Notes In the Deer Encounter we have three wild rescue Sika deer - all are hinds called Clover, Fern and Dandelion.
FactsLatin Name Felis silvestris grampiaClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily FelidaeIUCN status Endangered in ScotlandHabitat Forests, meadows, heath moors, highlands.Distribution Scottish Highlands
General InformationThe Scottish Wildcat is a sub-species of the Wildcat found throughout Europe. Although the Wildcat, in general, is not threatened the Scottish Wildcat is in danger of extinction and maybe down to to last 40 individuals.
It is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
For its weight and size this cat is one of the world’s most efficient predators. Fearless, brave, intelligent, resourceful and patient make a remarkable animal who has survived human persecution for 500 years.
Solitary, nocturnal and most active at dawn and dusk hunting for small to medium size mammals.
Fun FactNo-one has ever been able to tame a Scottish Wildcat not even when hand-reared from a kitten. They are a truly WILD cat.
This species is nicknamed “The British Tiger” and has a distinctive method of eating rabbit by turning the skin inside out as they eat the meat, leaving the skin still attached to the leg bones and feet.
Keeper Notes Our Scottish Wildcats are currently in non-breeding groups, as part of a new research programme involving DNA samples. We are waiting confirmation of the results so that we can hopefully continue breeding in the future.
FactsLatin Name Capreolus capreolusClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily CervidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Grasslands and mixed woodlandDistribution Throughout Europe including the UK
General InformationThe Roe deer is one of two deer species native to the UK, the other is the Red Deer - all other deer species have been introduced.
Feeding in the twilight hours on grass, shoots, leaves and berries, roe deer are unlikely to stray into a field that has livestock as it considers the grass is unclean for it’s consumption.
Roe deer can have up to 3 kids in May or June after a 9 months pregnancy which includes 4 months of no foetal growth followed by 5 months foetal growth i.e. delayed implantation.
Fun FactRoe deer almost always give birth to twins, this is unusual for a deer species, and therefore their babies are called ‘kids’ not fawns or calves.
Keeper Notes In the Deer Encounter we have three wild rescue roe deer. They are all does - Bracken, Bryony and Tizzy, who arrived in 2011 and 2012. They had been taken into local veterinary practices by members of the public as very young ‘kids’ and brought to us for care and a permanent, safe home.
FactsLatin Name Muntiacus reevesiClass MammaliaOrder CetartiodactylaFamily CervidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Dense scrub and woodland, quiet gardensDistribution Native to China and Taiwan introduced to UK in 1894
General InformationIntroduced to Woburn where escapees and deliberate releases have led to this pretty little deer having a wide distribution in central England, also a few in northern Wales and northern England. This deer takes its name from John Reeves, who was appointed the Assistant Inspector of Tea at the British East India Company in 1812. They are one of the oldest known species of deer appearing 35 million years ago.
Muntjac are a solitary deer although many individuals may occur in the same area. They feed on grasslands, brambles, ivy but also make themselves unpopular by feeding on protected plants such as bluebells and primroses.
The males have small antlers and sharp canines which resemble tusks.
Fun FactMuntjac are a ‘barking’ deer rather than a ‘whistling’ deer. They call in short, sharp barks when alarmed which is often mistaken for foxes.
Keeper Notes We have a small breeding group of Muntjac consisting of 1 male and 2 females.
FactsLatin Name Macropus rufogriseusClass MammaliaOrder DiprotodontiaFamily MacropodideaIUCN status Least concernHabitat Broad range of habitats including eucalyptus forests, tall
coastal heathlands and pasturelandsDistribution Endemic to Australia - through the south eastern parts
and Tasmania
General InformationA group of wallabies is called a “mob” but this species is mainly solitary often coming together to feed in the late afternoon into the evening.
A young wallaby or joey lives in its mother’s pouch for up to 9 months but will continue to feed from her for another 6 months.
A male wallaby is called a buck, boomer or jack.
A female wallaby is called a doe, flyer or jill.
Fun FactWallaby mothers can have a baby developing in the womb, a newborn in the pouch suckling milk and an older joey, out of the pouch, who still feeds from her (until weaning at around 18months old) – all at once!
Keeper Notes Our mob consists of 1 dominant male - Rufus and two females - Gwen and Dazzle. Dazzle has had a rare albino wallaby.
Occasionally, we have to hand-rear a joey and one of the keepers becomes “mum’ carrying it around in a canvas bag similar to the pouch. In 2013, a female joey called Skye needed our help.
FactsLatin Name Vulpes vulpesClass MammaliaOrder CarnivoraFamily CanidaeIUCN status Least concernHabitat Woodlands, grasslands, meadows, deserts, forests, urbanDistribution Arctic, Asia, Europe, Himalayas, India, Russia, North America
General InformationThe Red Fox is the largest of the true foxes and the most geographically spread of all carnivores. Unlike other foxes it is able to adapt quickly to new environments. Despite its name there are many different colours within the species including melanistic and albino. Its main food source are small rodents, game birds, reptiles and insects and dustbins.
Averaging about 6.8kg in weight a red fox shot, recently, in Scotland weighed a massive 17.2kg.
Fun FactMost tails are used for balance or to communicate but a fox’s tail or brush is also used to wrap round and keep the fox warm during the cold winters and they often tuck their noses in too!
Keeper Notes Our two foxes are both vixens and are wild rescues. In 2012, Slinky joined us from the British Wildlife Centre, Surrey. We think she is about 3 years old. Flossie came in July 2013; a rescue from the New Forest who has been in captivity for 3 years due to impaired eyesight. Flossie and Slinky have settled in well together.
