The dang foxes!

[SteveSS]

With my new Ring camera on the back deck, I caught the fox. I threw out some old Manwich mix. The fox showed up about 7:30 pm ate some, then peed on the rest so no other animal would finish it. What a literal stinker.

The Territorial Imperative: Scent Marking Explained​

Scent marking is a common behavior in many animal species, including foxes. It’s a way of communicating ownership and establishing boundaries. Urine, with its unique chemical signature, acts as a potent signal to other animals, conveying information about the individual who deposited it, including their sex, social status, and reproductive condition. For foxes, scent marking is particularly important in securing resources, especially food.

• Territory demarcation
• Mate attraction
• Signaling dominance
• Information broadcast to other animals

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The primary reason why foxes urinate on their food is to deter other animals from stealing it. Foxes are opportunistic eaters, consuming a wide variety of prey, from rodents and birds to insects and berries. However, finding and securing food can be challenging, especially in areas with high predator density. By urinating on their kill, foxes essentially “claim” it, making it less appealing to other scavengers. The strong odor of urine acts as a powerful deterrent, sending a clear message: “This food is mine!”

 

[OneWheelPeel]

So it comes back later to eat the pee soaked food?

 

[WileE]

So it comes back later to eat the pee soaked food?

You put dressing on your salad, don't you ?