Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome is proud to present the Mystery Animal of the Day

This mystery animal is a mammal with mostly reddish brown fur, with color variations ranging from silver to black to "patterning" in their fur.

This animal is native to North America, Africa and Eurasia. It is also found in the United Kingdom and Ireland and was introduced in Australia for the "sport of hunting."

This mystery animal is featured extensively in children's literature portraying characters who are resourceful, sly or "foxy."

If you guessed the Mystery Animal of the Day is the Red Fox

Mama gnome congratulates you and asks,

"Maybe you can read a book to a child and it might just even have a fox in it?"


photo by Malene Thyssen


Red foxes are remarkable animals, able to adapt to different environments from mountains, forests, deserts, farms and suburban areas.

Their diet range from vegetables, fruits like apples and plums, rabbits, fish, worms, mice and they may also scavenge food from trash and pet food.

They generally hunt alone and extra food are buried and hidden in separate areas. The red fox hides food in small portions thus avoiding the risk of losing all of the stored food if found by another animal.

The red fox is burdened with the fate of "fox hunting."

The red fox was introduced into Australia specifically for "recreational hunting" around 1850.

"Fox hunting with hounds" continues to be practised in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Russia, India and France.

The passage of the Hunting Act of 2004 made the sport of fox hunting with dogs illegal in
England and Wales. Scotland banned foxhunting in 2002.

But Mama gnome wants to clarify, even though the "sport" of fox hunting with dogs was made illegal in these countries, fox hunts continue.

And what's worse is "widespread" illegal fox hunting reportedly continues.

Mama gnome wants to know who really is the wily and cunning creature?

The red fox or the people who continue to hunt this animal for "sport"?

As though that is not enough, the red fox is also burdened by the fur industry.

"Red foxes are among the most commonly bred animals in fur farms, along with the American Minks."

"Today silver fox is traditionally used for collars and cuffs, wraps and stoles, while common Red fox fur is used for trimming and for full fur garments."

Remind Mama gnome again...who is the cunning, conniving, wily villain in the picture book?

The red fox being chased by dozens of dogs into her den with her babies?

Or the red fox stuck in a cage to be skinned so a woman can have trimmings on her coat?

Please watch this beautiful red fox in the Yellowstone National Park.





video by: PBS

Mama gnome urges you to boycott business who sell fur and fur products.

And even faux fur is sometimes mislabeled.

You think you're wearing something "ecofriendly" but it might just be real fur so don't even take a chance.

Educate your family and friends about the plight of the red fox.

Support bans on fur farming.

During this holiday season, wear a coat that will warm you to the core of your heart,

give a truly remarkable gift...and Go Green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog