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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

A Fox in the Bear Den... and the First Cub Sighting

In March of 2016, a bear sow was quietly raising her newborn cubs in a den in a heavily forested area. It was still very snowy, and the cubs hadn't set a paw outside the den yet. The cubs were likely spending all of their time attached to teats on their mom's abdomen. That's a warm spot!

Then, their snoozing was interrupted by a visitor.
It was a very curious red fox. The fox stared at the opening to the den as the sound of a bawling cub broadcast that there was a young animal in rocky crevice.

Then, believe it or not, the fox went far into the den, with only his tail still visible outside the den. It's not a big den. The fox must have been face to face with the mother bear.

The fox eventually retreated, without a bear cub in his jaws.

Things were peaceful at the den until a few weeks later when the cubs decided that they wanted to explore the world outside their den. Mom did not want them to leave the safety of the den.  Each time one made it past her, she grabbed the youngster in her jaws.

She dragged the escapee back into the den. Look at the tiny cub paw in the next photo.
On that day, I counted 45 unsuccessful escape attempts by the cubs. Finally, on the 46th attempt, a cub made it out to explore. That was the beginning of the fun for the cubs!

Here is the video!

18 comments:

  1. seems the old sweet song will happen soon...fox on the run ;O)

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  2. Hari OM
    New life always brings smiles! YAM xx

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  3. those babies are so tiny, and mom is so BiG which means that was a silly fox sticking the head in the den.. love the sounds they make...

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  4. Such a wonderful sight to see...unless you're the fox!

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  5. We remember how cute those cubs were. That sure was a daring fox to go into the den.

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  6. You get the best wildlife shots. thanks for doing that and letting us ease drop. :)

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  7. What a brave fox or a really dumb one. The cub is so adorable!

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  8. That sounds like it was an exhausting day for poor Mama Bear!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  9. Foxy needs to learn to wear a head lamp while out and about at dark
    Hugs Cecilia

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  10. What a time for Mumma Bear, first the fox, then the children determined to have fun in the snow. Love their little cries.

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  11. They sure are noisy little things. A handful too. So adorable. Not the fox of course. That was kind of scary.

    Have a fabulous day. Scritches to the pups. ♥

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  12. What a cutie the little one is/was. Goodness, my daughter thinks she has problems with her 3 year old. I should show her this video. :)

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  13. That must have been a very hungry fox.

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  14. That wee cub really did want to explore the outside world!

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  15. OMD...the cubs cries sound so human like!
    xoxo,
    Rosy, Jakey & Arty

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  16. We have fond memories of watching those cubs here when they were pups. Thanks for sharing once again.

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  17. Poor mama bear must have been exhausted trying to keep the little ones in the den! They are adorable.

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