The expert spoke about the reasons for the appearance of foxes in cities.

The frequent appearance of foxes in populated areas in recent years should not be considered an invasion or a "malfunction of nature." This is a natural result of changes in the environment and the high adaptability of foxes. This was told by Igor Glamazdin, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, Professor, Director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise at ROSBIOTECH University. "Газете.Ru ".

He noted that the red fox is one of the most adaptable predators of the Northern Hemisphere. Biologists call such species "plastic" because they are able to easily change their diet, behavior, and activity mode depending on the environment. For Lisa, the city has become not a dangerous zone, but rather a kind of "open-air supermarket."

"Food waste, rodents in basements, birds in squares, ornamental ponds, mild winters, the absence of large predators — all this creates almost ideal living conditions. As a result, foxes do not just enter cities sporadically, but form stable populations. They can be found in residential areas, on construction sites, in industrial zones and, of course, in city parks," the expert explained.

Professor Glamazdin noted that modern foxes behave more boldly than their forest relatives, but this is not related to domestication or friendliness.

He explained that the decrease in fear in animals is the result of natural selection and behavioral adaptation. Strategies with a shorter range of alertness are gradually becoming established in the urban population, but the fox remains a wild animal and avoids direct contact with humans.

According to the expert, for the fox, the city is not streets and neighborhoods, but a "map of smells." The specialist explained that scent tags allow foxes to inform neighbors about occupied territory, gender, age, reproductive status and dominance, which helps to avoid direct clashes — most conflicts are resolved before the meeting.

As for the danger of urban foxes, Glamazdin noted that it is primarily related to epidemiology and predatory instincts. Foxes can be carriers of rabies and parasites, and unusual behavior— excessive activity, lethargy, or disorientation— signals potential danger.

"The city has long ceased to be an exclusively human environment. It has become a complex ecosystem where different species coexist. The fox is not an invader or a "sign of decline," but an indicator of how flexibly nature knows how to use our own environmental changes. The only question is whether we will learn to coexist with it intelligently — without illusions, but also without panic," he concluded.

Don't bark, don't bite: fines for animal cruelty want to increase to 1 million

Why are they trying to increase responsibility for dog hunters again

On March 19, Alina Fedorova, a veterinary specialist at the animal disease control station of the SAO and NWAO, said that Moscow residents can already start protecting their pets from ticks. She noted that the peak of ticks usually occurs in May and June, but due to the warm March weather, risks are already emerging.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.