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Disclaimer: PangoVet does not endorse the practice of keeping wild animals as pets. This article is for informative purposes only.
The marble fox is a color variant of the red fox, established through selective breeding. They mostly have a white coat with gray, black, or tan patches, distributed on the body or across the face and ears, along with a triangular face, pointy ears, and a bushy tail. They were bred for their pelts, but today, efforts are being made to conserve them in the wild. With their distinctive appearance, many people wonder if they would make good pets. The short answer is no, Marble Foxes are wild animals and should not be kept as pets under any circumstances. Keep reading while we look at more details about this beautiful fox.
Is It Legal to Own a Canadian Marble Fox?
It remains illegal to own a Marble Fox in Canada unless you hold the necessary permits and licenses.1 Similarly, the vast majority of states in America will not allow it either, and there may also be additional local laws in place. Some states, like Arkansas, will allow the keeping of gray and red foxes, while many others will require a special permit.2 Some states that permit a fox will only allow the fennec species and not the red fox.3 The owning of exotic pets of all kinds has been declining over the past several years because of strict legislation, animal conservation efforts, and the potential dangers to humans and animals, as well as the inability to ensure that such animals can lead a fulfilled life with all of their needs met in captivity. Laws frequently change, and Virginia made it illegal to breed or sell wild foxes as recently as 2017.4
States Where It’s Currently Legal to Own a Fox
The majority of the listed states require special permits and licenses in order to own a pet fox, and it is generally discouraged due to potential risks for animal and human health and well-being. This list is not exclusive, so please check your local laws and legislation for more information.
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Tennessee
- Wyoming
Keeping a Canadian Marble Fox as a Pet
Marble foxes are extremely attractive, but besides the strict legislation and permit requirements, as well as ethical considerations, it will also take considerable work, financial investment and a huge deal of responsibility to keep such an animal as a pet. In addition, there is always a danger of serious injury.
If you do find yourself in the position of owning a wild fox, we strongly recommend you check with your local animal rescue organizations and wildlife rehabilitation centers, as well as local state rules and regulations, to make sure you possess all the necessary permits and licenses. They can also guide you through the necessary requirements for owning a wild animal, including husbandry needs, enclosure size and type, handling, dietary requirements, environmental enrichment and veterinary care.
Why Shouldn’t I Keep a Canadian Marble Fox?
Besides it being illegal in many states, these animals are naturally wild and have specific and extensive needs that cannot be easily fulfilled in captivity, even in a professional rehabilitation setting. They are also likely to try to escape, no matter how well you care for them. Handling and general contact with people, as well as life in a restricted and minimally stimulating environment, can lead to significant long-term stress for the animal. There is also a risk of injuries to people or other domestic pets, some of which can be severe or lead to health complications.
Another reason that you may prefer a domesticated pet is that wild animals are extremely high-energy. Foxes move so quickly that they often look like a streak of color. Even a spacious enclosure twice the minimum recommendations will not provide enough space for these animals to get up to speed and burn off excess energy. Ramps and platforms can help, but they will never accurately mimic their natural habitat or encourage instinctive behavior.
Instead of considering owning a wild animal, which can significantly endanger their wellbeing and quality of life, as well as leave an impact on the declining population of wild foxes, you can consider engaging in their conservation. This might involve helping and sponsoring local rehabilitation and rescue organizations, or even “adopting” a wild fox by helping to pay for their treatment and rehab before they are released back into the wild.
Conclusion
We highly recommend admiring the Canadian marble fox in pictures and areas where they can run free and avoid the temptation to keep them as pets. There are many legal and ethical considerations, and they will always present a potential danger to you and your family. In a domestic environment, they will also be unable to exhibit their natural behaviors and live to the fullest. We hope you have enjoyed reading this short guide and found the answers you needed. If you have learned something new about this type of fox, please share our look into whether the Canadian marble fox makes a good pet on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Michkasova Elena, Shutterstock
