A pair of urban foxes were photographed engaging in playful roughhousing in a London cemetery, with one young fox seen nipping at its companion's tail. The amusing scene was captured by photographer Izzy Davis.
Ms. Davis, a 28-year-old veterinary professional from Wantage, Oxfordshire, observed one fox creeping up behind the other before playfully biting its tail. The startled fox reacted with a squeal.
"I spotted this fox looking intentionally at the other fox, so I had an inkling that something was about to happen when I pointed my camera in that direction," Ms. Davis stated.
London is home to an estimated 10,000 foxes, according to the London Wildlife Trust. Red foxes have inhabited Britain for approximately 330,000 years. These adaptable animals have thrived in various environments, from rural areas to urban centers, where they scavenge for food from sources like discarded takeaways and overflowing bins.
Experts suggest that urban living is influencing the evolution of foxes. Unlike their rural counterparts who hunt rodents and insects, city foxes have become opportunistic scavengers. Studies indicate that urban foxes may have shorter snouts compared to rural foxes, a trait potentially linked to their reliance on scavenging rather than active hunting.
Scientists also theorize that urban environments may be enhancing foxes' cognitive abilities. The daily challenges of navigating busy city life, including avoiding traffic and identifying food sources, require significant problem-solving and memory skills. Foxes must remember locations of discarded food, households that leave out pet food, and even the specific days for bin collections. These continuous mental demands could be driving changes in foxes' brains, contributing to their reputation as intelligent and adaptable urban inhabitants.