Disclaimer: Pet Keen does not endorse the practice of keeping wild animals as pets. This article is for informative purposes only.
The marble fox is a mixed breed of fox created by mating a red fox with a silver fox. The resulting marble fox will have a white coat with black or tan patches across the face and ears, along with a triangular face, pointy ears, and bushy tail. Since humans created this breed, many people wonder if they make good pets. The short answer is no. However, some people keep them as pets, so keep reading while we look at why you might want to own one as well as why you shouldn’t so you can make an informed decision.
Is It Legal to Own a Canadian Marble Fox?
The first thing we recommend doing if you are thinking about owning a Marble Fox is checking with your local authorities to see if it is legal. The vast majority of states in America will not allow it, and there may also be local laws in place. Some states like Arkansas will allow any fox species, while many others will require a permit. Some states that permit a fox will only allow the fennec species and not the red fox, which you need for a marble fox. The owning of exotic pets of all kinds has been declining over the past several years because of its dangers to humans and animals. Laws frequently change, and Virginia made it illegal to tame wild foxes as recently as 2017.
States Where It’s Currently Legal to Own a Fox
Keeping a Canadian Marble Fox as a Pet
Marble foxes are extremely attractive but will take considerable work to keep as a pet, and there is always a danger of injury. Wild foxes can have rabies, so we recommend always purchasing a captive-bred fox from a respected breeder. Once you own the fox, you will need to have it vaccinated like any pet if the breeder didn’t do it for you.
Cage Size
You will need a cage with a minimum of 100 square feet for a single fox and an additional 50 square feet for every other fox you intend on keeping. A 5-foot by 5-foot or a 6-foot by 4-foot cage that’s at least 4 feet tall is a good starting point. However, bigger is always better, and the more room you can provide your new pet, the happier it will be and the less likely it will try to escape or become hostile toward you.
Location
Since this cage is likely to be outside, place it somewhere that it won’t attract attention. Your Canadian marble fox is likely to draw curious visitors from people who have never seen this breed, which can cause your fox to become nervous and aggressive. There should be no soggy ground or standing water, but foxes like to dig in the sloped ground, so setting up the cage can be tricky.
Accessories
Your Canadian marble fox will also need shelter from the rain and wind, so many owners like to place a small doghouse or similar box inside the cage. It will also enjoy plenty of foliage, logs, and tree branches that it can hide behind, climb on, and use as toys.
Why Shouldn’t I Keep a Canadian Marble Fox?
Besides it being illegal in many states, these animals do not stay domesticated long-term and will always try to escape, no matter how well you care for it. While it is trying to escape, it can bite or scratch you, which can sometimes result in severe injuries. Another reason you might not like owning a fox is that they are quite noisy, often screeching day and night. While the fennec species are by far the worst, the marble fox will also make enough noise to disturb any nearby neighbors.
The last reason you might want to choose another pet is that these animals are extremely high energy and move so quickly, they often look like a streak of color. Even a cage twice the minimum recommendations will not provide enough space for these animals to get up to speed and burn off the excess energy. Ramps and platforms can help, but they will never accurately mimic their natural habitat.
Conclusion
We highly recommend admiring the Canadian marble fox in pictures and areas where they can run free and avoiding the temptation to keep them as pets. There are many legal considerations, and they will always present a danger to you and your family. If you must have a fox, the fennec species, while noisy, is a bit more friendly toward humans, which is why it’s legal in New York. However, several dog and cat species similar to the fox would make an even better choice. The Finnish Spitz, Japanese Spitz, and Shiba Inu are all foxlike dog breeds, and the Somali Cat might also satisfy your needs for one of these animals.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this short guide and found the answers you needed. If you have learned something new about this mixed breed, please share our look into if the Canadian marble fox makes a good pet on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Michkasova Elena, Shutterstock
