I mistook the attempted humor for ignorance…

Seems like you’re taking what is (to me) obviously a joke/pop culture reference as a serious biogeographic pronouncement.

But setting that aside, is it really correct to say, “They are Red Foxes, an INVASIVE SPECIES, which was introduced by humans to North America?” It’s a question I’ve long wondered about.

I have no doubt that SOME Red Foxes were introduced (probably by fox hunters) to areas in the eastern U.S. where they were not native or extirpated. But I have a hard time accepting that they were NEVER found in N.A. before European settlement.

I know this is scant and problematic evidence, but the Wikipedia entry certainly suggests a more complex situation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_fox

On multiple trips to the Churchill area of Hudson Bay, I’ve seen “blue” and “cross” morph Red Foxes. It’s certainly possible that these are derived from introduced populations, but I don’t know, it just doesn’t seem likely.

So anyhow, I’m very interested in getting to the bottom of questions of origin. But I’m extremely uninterested in being lectured when I’m aiming to be funny.

Sorry if I’ve misconstrued your comment, but I really don’t need you to catch me up on the basics of indigenous vs. exotic species.

With love,

Jeff

Not native to North America, anyway.

They are Red Foxes, an INVASIVE SPECIES, which was introduced by humans to North America.

Red Foxes compete with their less aggressive cousins, the NATIVE Gray Fox. They often evict Gray Foxes from their territories.

Red Foxes are even harder on Arctic Foxes, another NATIVE SPECIES to North America.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump: “Beauty is as Beauty does”.

This post has certainly generated a lot of responses, which, I must say, is really gratifying for me. I don’t bum out if a post generates few comments, but I always like more.

One quick note, if anyone is still listening: I threw any pretense of accuracy out the window when I elected to go for the, “wild & crazy guys,” motif. Except for the loose nylon shorts. That part is all too real.

As Kathi points out, ticks aren’t especially itchy and it looks like one of the kits is already suffering from mange.

Further, I have no clue what the real sex of these two kits is. There was also at least one more kit present, but he or she got lost on the cutting room floor.

Anyway, thanks to everybody for looking and for commenting. Lots of fun!

Jeff

Are your nylon shorts plaid? And you are not swinging properly if you do not have the Mr. T starter set gold chains. I think you can pick up a set at Wally-mart.

I needed a good laugh:

…making them easy to cruise for swinging guys like us with our loose nylon shorts.

What a great post – how lucky for you and Kevin to see those cuties but I cringe at the size of those ticks!

Mary