🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan11.074302.20262@doug.cae.wisc.edu> tcs@cbnewsb.cb.att.com (theodore.c.seed) writes:
>In 3351, From: cower@SSD.intel.com (Rich Cower) asks:
>
>> Are foxes primarily nocturnal? I've had one poking around my yard for
>> about a week (eating grapes). Yesterday it came into the yard when three
>> of my Irish Wolfhounds were out - which seemed pretty foolish. Rather
>> than risking the dogs getting bit by this small, sneaky creature (I
>> suspect it killed a number of my chickens earlier this year) - I shot
>> it. 
>> 
>> I'm wondering if it could have been rabid? I live in an area where
>> rabies is very active in skunks. I've never seen a fox so active during
>> the day - I shot it just after noon. 
>> 
>> I didn't skin it, but did save the tail. 
>> 
>> thanks...rich 
>
>Rich:
>
>I am not an expert, but I do know that fox, skunk, racoon, coyote, 
>and opossum are primarily nocturnal. Having grown up in the country,
>it has been my experience that anytime you see nocturnal creatures 
>wandering around in the daylight, apparently oblivious to people and 
>dogs, it's a safe bet they are rabid.
>

This is completely fallacious.  You cannot predict any disease, and
especially not rabies, by simply observing a animal at a time of day
that you don't think that they should be out and about.  I saw 4 foxes
last tuesday while deer hunting well after sunup.  Am I to conclude
that they are probably rabid?

There are more legends and folk lore and fear surrounding rabies than
I had ever imagined.  In brief, however, behavioral symptoms of rabies
only become apparent at the very end, when the animal is on its last
legs, soon to die, and even then, the legendary foaming at the mouth,
etc. may not occur.

Finally, have you ever seen a nature show with a skunk, fox, racoon,
supposedly-nocturnal whatever, filmed entirely during the day?  Of
course you have.  Marty Stoufer's Wild Something or Other, the old
Mutual of Omha's Wild Kingdom, Disney Shows, Nature, National
Geographic Specials, all have shown foxes as well as many others
raising young, hunting, mating, and just cruising about all during the
day.  Many of these shows followed a family unit through a complete
annual cycle, yet none died of rabies although they spent a hell of a
lot of time out during the day light hours.

Brent J. Danielson

-- 
Jessie@iastate.edu                                           Brent J. Danielson
515-294-5248                                               Dept. Animal Ecology
                                                          Iowa State University
                                                            Ames, IA 50011-3221