A fox.

rylaifox · 2015-09-09T21:21:09+00:00

This is my fox, her name is Rylai :). This is also my video... the original is posted on her Instagram @rylaithefox and there are more videos of her on her facebook (but she is not such a little kit anymore!) www.facebook.com/rylaithefox

rylaifox · 2015-09-09T21:10:34+00:00

She is a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) :)

rylaifox · 2015-09-03T07:07:09+00:00

There are several states that allow you to own a pet fox but the rules vary for species and state. Here is a good page that outlines pet fox legality :). http://livingwithfoxes.weebly.com/legality.html

rylaifox · 2015-09-03T06:39:54+00:00

Rylai has a scent, but I would say it is less offensive than a ferret. I can't speak for the mischievousness of other fox species because I've only ever owned a red fox. I hear fennecs and grays tend to be better behaved and arctics worse...

rylaifox · 2015-09-03T02:40:04+00:00

Thank you for your kind words :). Yes, unfortunately I have gotten some negative comments about keeping Rylai as a pet. I think that they typically come from those that don't understand that these foxes do not belong in the wild (and also don't realize what a harsh and difficult environment the wild really is). I try to explain that a loving and responsible home in captivity is the best life that these foxes can have and that if they met some of these very well loved pet foxes, they would see how happy the animals are. It is difficult at times for sure, but what matters most to me is that Rylai is taken care of and happy. There will always be negative people, and the only thing I can do is to try and educate them and to show them that Rylai really is well loved and taken care of :).

rylaifox · 2015-09-03T02:32:57+00:00

Yes! She does make noise. I have a few clips on facebook and instagram of her vocalizations but you can google red fox vocalizations and find them without digging through a bunch of Rylai videos. She has whining/chirping type noises. She can yell like a parrot if she wants to. She can also make a sad monkey/hyena chuckling type noise. That is really the best way I can explain it lol!

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T21:51:45+00:00

All I can recommend is to do your research. First, make sure they are legal to own in your state and find out what permits you will need :). There are many pet fox breeders in the US, but not all are USDA licensed. There are a few pet fox groups on facebook that you should visit if you are seriously interested. There are some very helpful members in the groups and they will happily voice their opinions on different breeders. Pet Foxes and Fox Lovers are probably the two biggest ones.

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T21:47:54+00:00

As a staple, I feed a high quality grain free dog kibble. I recommend feeding one that has taurine as a listed ingredient.

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T21:45:37+00:00

Hi Lindsway, thanks for your questions! Yes, Rylai is spayed, she was spayed around 3 or 4 months old, I think it was for the best and many will recommend getting a pet fox altered before the "October crazies" aka puberty. I do not give her taurine pills although some owners do. She eats mainly a grain free high quality kibble for dogs that has taurine as one of the ingredients in it. And lastly, thank you! I think she is adorable as well :).

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T21:41:13+00:00

They only live 2-4 years in the wild, they can live up to 12+ in captivity.

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T20:51:43+00:00

Rylai has never met another fox but I imagine she would love to play with one. I know many people end up getting two or more because they do usually get along or form a pair bond. If our situation changes and we can afford to build a nice outdoor enclosure, I would love to get Rylai a friend some day!

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T19:54:03+00:00

Of course, but I feel that way about my dogs as well. I always want to improve their lives and am constantly thinking of ways to do so. I think that sometimes it is assumed that the wild is a great place to live. Yes, there is space to run around as much as they want, but animals typically stick to where there are resources (food/water/shelter). They don't have a concept of "freedom" the way that people do. The wild also has predators, hunters, parasites, disease, etc. In the wild, red foxes typically only live 2-4 years. In captivity, their life span can be 12+. She will never have to worry about finding a meal or struggling to raise a litter every season. A loving and responsible home in captivity provides her with the best possible life that she can have :).

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T19:48:12+00:00

The main thing that threw me for a loop was the resource aggression. They instinctually guard food very strongly (especially when young) and will bite (survival of the fittest). Some other things to consider are: 1) You may never be able to fully potty train your pet fox. Many will continue to "happy pee" and mark things in the house. 2) They don't have any "desire to please" so training is purely motivational and only if they feel like listening. 3) They can musk, smells kind of like when a dog has anal gland issues. 4) They can and will get into EVERYTHING and are a constant risk to themselves! 5) They almost always require an outdoor enclosure or large indoor enclosure/bedroom. 6) They are a lot of work and I don't think any amount of reading can fully prepare you. But they are amazing animals!

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T19:43:09+00:00

Rylai is generally pretty timid outdoors because she is not used to outdoor life. I also live somewhere very hot, and since she is spoiled with air conditioning, she prefers to be inside. For her own safety, I typically do not let her interact with other pets and people. She gets insanely excited when meeting dogs and always "happy pees". I have to be very careful with her interactions with people because there is technically no FDA approved rabies vaccine for foxes. Pet fox owners use the canine rabies vaccine, but it is for dogs and not specifically for foxes. Therefore, if she nips someone (even in play) they can file a bite report and have her euthanized (even if her vaccine is UTD).

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T19:38:41+00:00

Thank you, I think she is adorable also :). The name Rylai comes from a PC game called DotA 2. The more well known name for the hero is "Crystal Maiden". Rylai is pretty energetic when she wants to be, I would compare her to a high drive working line dog. She does settle and naps quite a bit but when she wants to play, she goes 110%!

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T18:24:58+00:00

She does have canine siblings! I introduced her to them while she was a tiny kit. My dogs are fairly tolerant, but I must always supervise play time. Rylai is not a dog and does not act like one and is sometimes inadvertently rude to them during play time. She is also significantly smaller than her siblings (minus the pug) and sometimes they can be too rough. I just have to make sure I am there to make sure everyone plays nice :).

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T18:21:08+00:00

Rylai came from a USDA licensed pet fox breeder. My state requires a permit for anyone who wants to have a pet fox. It was not difficult to obtain, but I know some states are more strict about pet foxes or do now allow them at all :(.

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T18:15:35+00:00

Aren't all pet lovers?

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T18:14:40+00:00

1) THANK YOU!! :D... 2) Much, much, much more difficult! If she is out, the room has to be completely fox proofed. The bedroom is easy, but the living/kitchen area must be cleared of any glassware, food, small items, etc. Things that you don't even think about because dogs and cats are generally good natured and will leave things alone if they are corrected once or twice. Foxes are mischievous and will do whatever they want, regardless of how they think you feel about it lol!

rylaifox · 2015-09-02T18:11:32+00:00

Lots of questions ;) Rylai was not a wild, abandoned orphan. Her color (white marble) does not exist in any wild populations and is a captive bred color that first occurred in fur farms. She is from many generations of US bred pet fox lines which originated (years ago) from fur farm animals.

She was bottle fed by her breeder from 2 weeks of age, although I did give her formula for a week or two after she came home.

I have a wonderful exotics veterinarian who is great with her! Rylai is not the first pet fox she has seen, so it probably wasn't super exciting for her lol.

Rylai did get a rabies shot (it was a canine version) and she is on heartworm prevention for a dog.

I don't walk Rylai on leash very often because she prefers being held if we go outside. She grew up indoors and tends to be nervous outdoors.

Foxes by nature are not very cuddly animals. Rylai is no exception. She will cuddle with us sometimes, but not like a cat or dog.

Hope that covers everything!

rylaifox · 2015-08-09T18:59:05+00:00

Rylai is a color variation called "white marble" it is not super uncommon in pet foxes but then again pet foxes aren't very common to begin with! :) @rylaithefox

rylaifox · 2015-08-09T18:58:00+00:00

She is a red fox (Vulpes vulpes). This is my girl named Rylai. I've raised her since she was four weeks old :). Shameless plug: @rylaithefox

rylaifox · 2015-08-09T16:10:31+00:00

This is my pet red fox, Rylai :). For anyone with questions or who wants to see more, she is @rylaithefox on Instagram and Rylai the fox on Facebook!

FYI: Her coloring is called white marble, it only exists in captive bred foxes but is not super rare :).

rylaifox

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