226 ANIMAL COMPETITORS 



others ; some can never be induced to mate, and 

 others mate, but do not produce young. They 

 are constantly in a state of fear, and this fear 

 is probably the chief cause of the failure to 

 breed regularly. It may cause the female to 

 refuse the attentions of the male, or, having re- 

 ceived them, she may prove infertile, or she 

 may become excited so as to injure herself and 

 give birth prematurely. But, worst of all, 

 even after producing a litter of healthy young, 

 she may be so solicitous for their safety that 

 in her effort to get them out of imaginary 

 harm's way she maltreats or kills them. 



When born the young are small and weak, 

 but if all is well they grow rapidly, and when 

 about six weeks old begin to come out to play 

 and to lap a little milk or to take an occasional 

 bit of solid food. If allowed to do so, they will 

 continue to nurse for nearly six months. 



Importance of good care. Keeping the foxes 

 in a secluded place free from visitors is not 

 sufficient alone to overcome these difficulties. 

 Although strangers should be kept away, a 

 regular attendant should visit the animals 

 daily and use every effort to gain their confi- 



