would you keep a fox as a pet?

[Kyteland]

I'm watching a Nova documentary on the evolution of dogs... part of the documentary covers people who tried to domesticate wolves and silver foxes.

the wolf domestication was unsuccessful (once they got up to around 40-50kg, they were too destructive to keep around any longer) but it seemed like foxes domesticated comparably easier.

I'm not sure I could see keeping a fox as a pet, though. it'd be too weird.

I think you're interpreting the documentary wrong. The fox domestication was a long term breeding program that has lasted for over 50 years and many generations of animals. They have specifically been breeding them to have "domesticated animal" style traits so they've become easier to handle and friendlier over time. They also have a second program that breeds specifically for very agressive traits, and those foxes are mean SOBs that would never be suitable as domestic pets let alone any human contact.

The wolf experiment was of an entirely different nature. They took a number of random wild wolf pups and tried to raise them as domestic animals. This experiment only included a single generation of animals. It was supposed to prove the nature/nurture aspect of domestic traits. What it showed is that there is a strong genetic component to domestic animal that has been selected for over time that isn't as strongly represented in the wild population.

 

[0roo0roo]

yup nurture vs nature.
fox was selective breeding, not being nice to pups hoping they'll grow up nice...

 

[arkcom]

Yeah, wolves could definitely be domesticated eventually. That's what the common dog is.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah, wolves could definitely be domesticated eventually. That's what the common dog is.

Exactly, punctuated by the appearance changes of the domesticated foxes. Take the last 50 years of that fox breeding program, expand it by hundreds or thousands of years, spread over huge geographic regions and cultural tastes and needs, and you get the variety you see with dogs.

I look at it like "bundles" of genetics. Tame disposition and physical changes go hand-in-hand. You could select for the perfect fox appearance (or wolf), but then your success rate decreases dramatically. So instead of selecting 1% of each fox generation, you're selecting only 0.1% or .01% or less because of your added criteria. It becomes a problem of practicality.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

need to domesticate bears, a guard bear would be so much better than a guard dog

 

[pcgeek11]

The fox is a group of 27 discreet species that are distantly related to wolves, coyotes and dogs — all from the canid family or Family Canidae. The fox, however, is not a dog, and cannot breed with a dog. It also cannot be tamed, and though these animals are quite attractive, they are not considered to be good pets, making both the owner and the pet miserable.


One of the differences between foxes and other canid species is foxes have a strong odor comparable to a skunk. This usually discourages people from wishing to own them, as they smell far worse than even the dirtiest dog or cat, and the odor easily fills a house and is virtually impossible to eliminate. For the fox, the odor is an excellent defense mechanism against larger predators like bears, and large cats. This defense mechanism comes in handy due to the fact that the fox is rather small, few weighing more than about 15 pounds (6.8 kg). The skunky smell also discourages humans from coming too close to their dens.

 

[shortylickens]

No.
But if I did I'd probably just grab one off the road. Saw a slick little devil last night, skulking around, looking for chickens.
Stupid fox! Theres no chickens in the suburbs!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Where's the option for hell no?

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAV6ywEDfNE&feature=related
says it doesn't have the musky smell

 

[BurnItDwn]

No, I just want an elephant for a pet.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

We have a pair of fox that we've been feeding regularly for about 9 months at my Dads rural lake house. They come twice a day and will almost eat out of your hand now.

I grew up with a guy who had a half wolf half cannine pet that was HUGE and the greatest pet ever. He was the friendliest gentlest guy you can imagine and he lived near 25yo