THE DOMESTICATED SILVER FOX. 



9 



INCLOSURES. 



A model fox ranch has three kinds of inclosures — dens in which 

 the animals are sheltered and the young are born; yards or runs, 

 where they may have 

 sunshine and shade 

 and sufficient exercise 

 to keep them in good 

 health; and a guard 

 fence surrounding the 

 entire ranch, for the 

 double purpose of 

 preventing intrusion 

 from without and es- 

 cape from within. 



DENS. 



The walls of a fox 

 den should exclude 

 moisture, deaden 

 sounds, and protect 

 the occupants from 

 extremes of heat and 

 cold. During the 

 breeding season, 

 when foxes are unusually nervous and when the cubs can not with- 

 stand exposure, these features are particularly important. Pro- 



Fig. 3. — Vertical cross section of a barrel den. 



vision should also be 

 made for ventilation 

 without admitting 

 light or drafts. The 

 barrel den shown in 

 figures 3 to G is 

 merely a clean barrel, having a smooth interior, surrounded by 

 dry sawdust, within a wooden box. In one head of the barrel 

 is an entrance hole 8 inches wide and 10 inches high. A similar 

 74743°— Bull. 795—17 2 



Fig. 4. — Horizontal longitudinal section of barrel den. 



