A new family of seven has taken up residence near the Lecompton Historical Society.
Their home is made of stone, which provides comfortable shelter. Most evenings, the children come out to play.
The family of red foxes was first spotted Easter weekend playing by large slabs of rock next to a building. Since then, Lecompton residents have seen them out both morning and evening.
Paul Bahnmaier, president of the Lecompton Historical Society, said the mother fox will lie on one of the slabs and watch as her kits play.
“What I find odd is it’s an area that’s mowed and well-kept,” he said.
The foxes don’t seem bothered by loud noises and barely flinch when cars go by on the nearby road. But there is concern for people’s safety, so it’s best not to approach the den.
Tim Rues, administrator at Constitution Hall, said third- and seventh-graders from Mater Dei Catholic School in Topeka visited Lecompton last week and discovered feathers around the den. On closer investigation, they found a turkey claw, indicating the foxes had likely had a feast that day.
“The students really liked seeing where the foxes lived,” Rues said.
If the foxes are disturbed too often, the mother fox will likely move the den. But for at least a few weeks, the family made its home in historic Lecompton under some historic 1880s limestone curbs.
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nedcolt (anonymous) says…
There's your cat killers,I've been in predator control for 30 yrs and a fox will run down and overtake a cat or small dog in a heartbeat,and that big a family has to hunt 24/7,better hope they move on.............
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
We have them in Baldwin, too--I've got some great pics from last year's litter and some "ok" shots of this year's, so far.
Raccoons or coyotes are much more likely to kill a cat than is a fox. Raccoons will shred a cat. Foxes, unless food is very scarce, will avoid tangling with cats.
In any event, neither cats nor dogs should be running loose, so in most cases if they become prey to any wild thing, their "loving human" is the actual culprit. Pets can sometimes get loose despite our best efforts to keep them in, but those who intentionally let them roam are just asking for trouble.
Liberty275 (anonymous) replies…
We have a well built five foot fence for our dogs, but you could measure the remaining life of a racoon or coyote in our backyard in minutes, counting on your hand.
riverdrifter (anonymous) replies…
Wolves in MN regularly take out large-breed puppy litters, Rotts, GS and so on. Your 5' fence in Minnesota is a joke. In rural areas of Kansas a pack of coyotes would take it out as well. Puppies = food.
Liberty275 (anonymous) replies…
My "puppy" weighs in at 150 pounds. The other several puppies weigh in between 40 and 70 each. My five foot fence in Minnesota would be adequate (not that I would entertain living in south canada). As for coyotes and coons, the coyotes won't venture within a half mile of our house and all the coons are all dead. We don't see many cats either..
Gandalf (anonymous) says…
Where in the article did it mention cat killers?
Bye the way pye have you every watched the movie The Good Witch? Bet you would love it.:O)
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
I wondered that, too (why he brought up cat killers). The only cat-killing news I can remember was a few years ago, when people thought a deranged person was to blame for a series of mutilated cats in Lawrence--but I always wondered if it were a raccoon, as they will readily do that. Foxes are not likely to go after as formidably armed and valiant fighter as a cat unless they are starving.
Anyway... I had never heard of that movie. Just googled it--sounds intriguing. Reading the synopsis reminds me of another "witch and cat" flick I loved as a child--"The Three Lives of Thomasina." It was British and had those same two hammy kids who were in "Mary Poppins." England must have had a grand total of two child actors in those days.
Lynn731 (anonymous) says…
Good photo Richard, how far away were you, and what lens did you use? Thank you, Lynn
papillon (anonymous) says…
I agree with Pywacket.... people who let their pets run loose aren't very good "loving human owners". Out and about running loose, animals will be animals. The foxes lived in this part of the country long before humans did, so I say power to them and I'm glad she's got a healthy litter. :)
kawvalleybulldog (anonymous) replies…
Actually the Red Fox is a non native species that was introduced from Europe for sport hunting a few hundred years ago.
darktart (anonymous) replies…
nope
kawvalleybulldog (anonymous) replies…
...yep, there are two distinct red fox typed in North America; one type has been in Alaska and Western Canada since the last glaciation. the other type (now found in Kansas) has been found through genetic testing to be descended from red foxes in Britian, Germany, and Belgium. The foxes native to this continent have more primitive neonatal characteristics, as well as being much smaller. I know my foxes, and the whole midwest has imported fox genetics...
Gandalf (anonymous) replies…
Didn't Redd Foxx have a junkyard show?
Gandalf (anonymous) replies…
Didn't Redd Foxx have a junkyard show?
UNIKU (anonymous) says…
Foxes are deleeeshus!!!
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
Chocolate ones, maybe! I bet the real ones would be tough and stringy. ;-)
mr_right_wing (anonymous) says…
Aawwwww.....how cute!!
Unless you own chickens nearby! Then you'd like to take these foxes and.....(Bin Laden them.)
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
We have chickens right at the edge of our woods, but they are contained. The hen house is within the confines of a high-sided and roofed chicken run. I'd rather have the hens in a maximum security pokey than harm the foxes.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
My grandma had a family of foxes that lived next door when I was in middle-school. Every spring there'd be fox cubs to look out for. Very few things are as cute as a baby fox. Just about the only thing I can think of right now if a baby tiger.
rockchalker52 (anonymous) says…
Foxes, the ultimate hipsters.
Sly as a fox
Out foxed
Redd Foxx
Jaimie Foxx
Foxtrot
Foxey Lady
The beat goes on...
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
~Like!~
cowboy (anonymous) replies…
Vixens , can't go wrong with vixens
Armored_One (anonymous) says…
It's a nice change of pace to read about something nice, instead of all the grime and muck in the world. Plus foxes are just adorable.
cato_the_elder (anonymous) says…
Release the hounds.
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) says…
Did the Lawrence City Commission move their meeting place to Lecompton?
pace (anonymous) says…
they also steal newspapers. If only douglas county had a international terrorist swat team. Wait, we do, sure it is expensive but just look at those faces. Very clever.