Woof-woof, it’s #WildlifeWednesday! The hot and humid time period between July 3rd and August 11th is referred to as the “Dog Days of Summer,” and today we will talk about two of the canines that make their home here in Ohio- the red fox and the gray fox! The red fox is the larger and taller of the two species and is traditionally known for its bright red fur and black “socks” on its legs, though its coat can have color variations of black, silver, and brown. The enormous bushy tail of the red fox ends in a white tip. The gray fox is smaller and has a grizzled silvery gray coat with reddish patches on the chest and sides and white marking on the face. A black stripe runs along the top of the tail. The gray fox’s snout is shorter and more catlike than that of other foxes. The gray fox also has specialized claws that allow it to climb trees! To stay cool in the heat both species of fox will seek shade and even dig or use holes in the ground. Since their fur coats prevent them from being able to sweat through their skin, they pant just like our domestic dogs to release excess heat. Their coats are also much thinner during the hot months, as they begin shedding their thick winter fur in the spring, giving them a sleek summer look. Both foxes are omnivores and eat a wide range of foods, including rodents, birds, reptiles, insects, eggs, fruits, and plant material. In the heat of summer they target berries as they provide extra hydration in addition to being a tasty treat. You might not be digging holes in the ground, but we hope you find ways to stay cool like a fox today!
Bobcats are native to Ohio. However, being solitary, elusive, shy and nocturnal they are rarely seen. Bobcats have had rough go in Ohio. Prior to the arrival of settlers, they were found throughout the state. Throughout the 1800s forests were cleared and marshes and wetlands were drained so that farmsteads and towns could be built. By 1850, due to habitat loss and hunting for the fur trade the bobcat became extinct in Ohio. Nearly a century later bobcat-suitable habitat started coming back as farmed areas were being changed back to forests and abandoned strip mines were rehabilitated. In the 1990’s a bobcat reintroduction program brought these cats back to Ohio. As of 2021, the most current ODNR data, there have been 561confirmed bobcat sightings in 81 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Although most bobcat sightings are in southern and southeastern Ohio, confirmed sightings are moving northward - Stark, Wayne, Holmes, and Tuscarawas counties have confirmed sightings. Bobcats are about twice as big as a house cat and weigh up to 30 pounds. They are fierce, highly skilled, carnivorous apex predators and important members of the ecosystem. These cats are ambush predators relying on their exceptional hearing and night vision to stalk prey before pouncing. They can jump as far as 12 feet to pounce on prey, run as fast as 25 to 30 miles an hour, and they are skilled swimmers. They can even jump high enough to catch low-flying birds. Their prey includes mostly rabbits, young white-tail deer, and small mammals. Although mammals make up most of their diet, they are considered generalist carnivores and will also eat insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds. They help to keep these prey species in check. We don’t often get to celebrate the return of a once-native species - the resurgence of bobcats in Ohio is an environmental success story the state prides itself on. Bobcats are protected in Ohio. There is no hunting or trapping season for them and their most common predators, wolves and mountain lions, don’t live in Ohio. With the success of the re-introduction program the bobcat was removed from Ohio’s endangered and vulnerable species list in July 2014. For the bobcat to succeed they need the night to be dark. Light pollution or skyglow can reach hundreds of miles from the urban area creating the pollution. It reaches into the dark areas where bobcats live and interferes with their hunting and safety. Light pollution is one challenge to the bobcat’s success that everyone can do something about.
