Millie "got wind" of something in the night when Baxter came in. She was upset with the situation and jumped off the bed, scurried about to make sure no one entered with him. She checked every window to see what was going on. Our last adventure of this sort was when Baxter came in smelling of skunk.
Who are the uninvited intruders this time? We know that Baxter has encountered foxes as our neighbour saw him chasing a fox pup down the street. If there are 6 foxes as the Grimsby Nexdoor post as per the picture below, then Baxter has a lot of new friends and a lot of chasing to do. That's likely the scenario last night. She's not settled down at all - the foxes keep showing up running along the street and between the houses this morning.
Are Fun Fox Facts that go along with Dogs Barking in the Middle of the Night? Here they are from wildthingsfood.co.uk:
1. Foxes are great night-time predators Their eyes are specially adapted to be able to see in the dark. Behind the light sensitive cells lies another layer called the tapetum lucidum which reflects light back through the eye. This doubles the intensity of what the fox can see, making them excellent at catching prey. 2. Foxes are considered to be solitary animals Unlike other members of the canine family, foxes are not considered to be pack animals. Foxes tend to live by themselves or in small family groups called a “skulk”, which typically includes the mother fox and around 6 cubs. 3. Foxes can make over 40 different sounds If you’ve ever heard those scream-like howls you will probably know the type of sounds we are talking about. Foxes can make a variation of screams, barks, and howls that can range from high pitched tones to lower tones to communicate different things. 4. Foxes make use of the earth’s magnetic field to hunt Researchers have found that foxes are the first animals in the world to use the earth’s magnetic fields to judge the distance and direction of their prey. They can use this to their advantage when hunting for small animals located in high grass. 5. People used to fear foxes but they are actually considered friendly animals Most fox species are known to be friendly, curious and playful whilst amongst other foxes and animals. There is also a long history of foxes playing with humans and bonding with them too. Foxes have been known to play with balls and will often take them from golf courses and gardens. 6. Foxes only reproduce once a year Foxes breed only once a year and mating usually occurs in January or early February. The vixen (female fox) then remains pregnant for around 60 days and will birth a typical litter of 4 – 6 cubs around March or April. 7. Baby foxes are unable to see, walk or thermoregulate when they are born Mothers will typically nurse their cubs for the first two months of their lives until they develop these functions. Meanwhile, the male fox will go out and hunt for the family. The mother stays with the cubs in the den for around three weeks before the cubs venture out with their mother for the first time. 8. Foxes don’t just live in rural areas, they also live in cities This is due to the wide availability of food and shelter in towns or cities. Urban foxes tend to dig their dens in the earth underneath bushes or garden sheds. Some also dig underneath tree roots and railway embankments. 9. Foxes have a very varied diet Foxes are expert hunters, catching rabbits, rodents, birds, frogs and earthworms. But they aren’t carnivores – they are actually omnivores as they dine on berries and fruit too. 10. Foxes have impeccable hearing Researchers found that foxes have excellent low-frequency hearing. They can hear a watch ticking from 36 meters away and even hear rodents digging underground!
Here's the picture someone has taken on Lynwood Ave - looking towards Main Street. That wall of trees in the background is the escarpment.
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