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- Seen Nov 12, 2016
1st Red Fox
The red fox has been chosen as the first entry into the week. I chose him because images, cartoons, books and stories, even oral myth all seem to radiate the same similar depiction that is the red fox.
But where does the word fox in our language come from? Well it can be traced back to the ancient Germanic tribes. Though they had an interesting way of saying things. Like when they would see a fox, they would open their mouths wide and scream to the heavens; "Fuk!"
And no, that is not a typo. Ancient Germanic tribes would call foxes, Fuk. So the next time you curse out, just think of the fox. But there is more to translation than that. In Proto-Germanic, foxes were called Fuhsaz. And in Proto-Indo-European, "Puk." Puk literally means 'Thick furred." Over the course of time, it became more common for the Germans to just combine the words into Fuk, and then eventually the Angles-Saxons word 'Fox' appeared. And this is where we get the name of the cutest creature to walk the earth.
Red foxes are darn near all over the world, save from parts in South America and Africa. Another reason to be the first Fox of the Week. Red foxes are also the largest of the "True foxes", what-ever that means. Looking on the wiki, apparently there is a difference between a normal fox and a true fox. Go figure. Well, whatever the case, the Red fox is among the largest of its kind.
It's also the most deadly. Deadly, not to humans, but to their environment. They are called the worst invasive mammals. Some of you may know where I am going with this. An invasive species is a creature who can be introduced to any environment and quickly adapt. Invasive species not only adapt to their environment, they destroy it.
The Britains wanted to bring foxes to Australia for the hunt. What they had not counted on was the shear growth in their population as well as desolation of entire species. Because of the red fox, many animals in Australia are endangered and it's continuing to happen.
So what is the solution? How about fox hunting? Yeah, we'll hunt those foxes…. Er…. Just like…. England? No, that's not going to work. Australia has tried variety of methods to limit the 6 million population of red foxes. So the Vulpes is hunted, but it's not enough. There are entire eradication programs dedicated to the specific fox. But even that is not enough. The red fox is just too elusive and wont go anywhere that smells of human, so some bait traps just don't work.
Red fox, we solute your pretty fur, clever evasion, and adaptability.
Translation of the Week:
In South Africa, it would be normal to hear Afrikaans, a language made by the Dutch. Yeah. So to say fox in this strange language, you would have to say "Jakkals." This could also be used for saying coyote.
Scientific Name:
Vulpes Vulpes
The red fox has been chosen as the first entry into the week. I chose him because images, cartoons, books and stories, even oral myth all seem to radiate the same similar depiction that is the red fox.
But where does the word fox in our language come from? Well it can be traced back to the ancient Germanic tribes. Though they had an interesting way of saying things. Like when they would see a fox, they would open their mouths wide and scream to the heavens; "Fuk!"
And no, that is not a typo. Ancient Germanic tribes would call foxes, Fuk. So the next time you curse out, just think of the fox. But there is more to translation than that. In Proto-Germanic, foxes were called Fuhsaz. And in Proto-Indo-European, "Puk." Puk literally means 'Thick furred." Over the course of time, it became more common for the Germans to just combine the words into Fuk, and then eventually the Angles-Saxons word 'Fox' appeared. And this is where we get the name of the cutest creature to walk the earth.
Red foxes are darn near all over the world, save from parts in South America and Africa. Another reason to be the first Fox of the Week. Red foxes are also the largest of the "True foxes", what-ever that means. Looking on the wiki, apparently there is a difference between a normal fox and a true fox. Go figure. Well, whatever the case, the Red fox is among the largest of its kind.
It's also the most deadly. Deadly, not to humans, but to their environment. They are called the worst invasive mammals. Some of you may know where I am going with this. An invasive species is a creature who can be introduced to any environment and quickly adapt. Invasive species not only adapt to their environment, they destroy it.
The Britains wanted to bring foxes to Australia for the hunt. What they had not counted on was the shear growth in their population as well as desolation of entire species. Because of the red fox, many animals in Australia are endangered and it's continuing to happen.
So what is the solution? How about fox hunting? Yeah, we'll hunt those foxes…. Er…. Just like…. England? No, that's not going to work. Australia has tried variety of methods to limit the 6 million population of red foxes. So the Vulpes is hunted, but it's not enough. There are entire eradication programs dedicated to the specific fox. But even that is not enough. The red fox is just too elusive and wont go anywhere that smells of human, so some bait traps just don't work.
Red fox, we solute your pretty fur, clever evasion, and adaptability.
Translation of the Week:
In South Africa, it would be normal to hear Afrikaans, a language made by the Dutch. Yeah. So to say fox in this strange language, you would have to say "Jakkals." This could also be used for saying coyote.
Scientific Name:
Vulpes Vulpes