A Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen is shown having ectoparasites removed from her hindquarters by an opportunistic Eurasian Magpie Pica pica. This behaviour was clearly of benefit to both parties (symbiotic) as the Magpie was getting a meal, and the removal of fleas, ticks or mites from the fur and skin of the fox (the exact nature of what was being removed could not be seen) would have saved her from needing to groom herself assiduously to remove these irritating pests. It is not known if embedded mites can be removed in this way. The vixen appeared to be in generally good health, but there may have been evidence of mild sarcoptic mange (from which she may have been recovering spontaneously - some do) judging from the state of her tail. Summer moulting can cause adult foxes to look a bit tatty, as can the persistent actions of their cubs! Both of these creatures have a high level of intelligence, and neither attempted to attack the other. The vixen displayed considerable patience as she clearly realised that the Magpie's actions were to her benefit, but as the assaults on the prey items became increasingly enthusiastic this began to wear a bit thin, eventually causing her to bare her teeth at the bird (without making any serious threat to do anything beyond deterring it), move and settle down again in a different position. At the end of the film, the Magpie took off, and the vixen disappeared shortly afterwards. Magpies will sometimes attempt to play with foxes' tails out of sheer devilment, and occasionally they will misjudge the speed of the reactions of these very capable predators - with potentially fatal consequences!
12 июн 2024
