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- 
