Crawl through a fox burrow
Interestingly, red foxes don’t often use burrows or dens to stay warm in the winter. They can stay warm during the cold months simply by curling their fluffy tails around them.
However, this is the time of year they might be thinking about finding a den. Red foxes mate during the late winter, and by spring the female needs a burrow to birth and raise her kits in.
Within weeks of birth, those kits are rambunctious, playing with their littermates and practicing their wrestling skills. It sounds a lot like the tots that come to play in the fox burrow at the Dickinson County Nature Center.
Created just two years ago, the crawl-through fox burrow is a hit for youngsters, who enjoying snaking through the tunnel and building a cozy bed out of leaf pillows, just like a mama fox would.
They can squeal and play with their brothers and sisters inside the burrow or just lay back and relax, looking out the burrow hole to see the trumpeter swan flying overhead.
Personally, I think the kids enjoy playing in a place where Mom and Dad don’t fit, but don’t worry parents, Teddy the Turtle is always keeping an eye on things that go on in the nature center.
If you’re not able to visit the nature center, I challenge you to create your own fox burrow at home this week. Grab some blankets, circle up some chairs and turn the living room into a cozy burrow for your own little kit. Post your photos in the comments below or on our Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #dcnaturecenter.
You can also see more fun ideas for your kids, like creating a nature story or making maple snow taffy, on our weekly blog!