{"id":157507,"date":"2023-08-02T09:52:56","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T07:52:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=157507"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:53","slug":"the-burrow-might-be-abandoned-but-the-greenery-behind-the-exam-rooms-is-ideal-for-foxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/08\/02\/the-burrow-might-be-abandoned-but-the-greenery-behind-the-exam-rooms-is-ideal-for-foxes\/","title":{"rendered":"The burrow might be abandoned, but the greenery behind the exam rooms is ideal for foxes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rumour has it that there are foxes on campus. The signs are there, and the location is ideal. Will we be able to spot them?<\/p>\n

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The branches in front of the entrance hint at it: it has been a while since there was a fox here.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRonald van den Heerik<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

With a long snout, a white-tipped tail and an orange-brown or brownish-grey coat, there are signs that some are living on campus. If you spot what looks like a big red cat or a smallish fluffy dog, take a closer look. Seen it twice? Then it\u2019s likely no fox \u2013 they can run up to 50 or 60 kilometres per hour. Also, they are usually out and about at night.<\/p>\n

There seem to be fox burrows behind the Van der Goot building, making it the perfect spot to spot foxes. They are often hard to hear in the hubbub of the city. Foxes can make shrill barking or clucking sounds, but occasionally they even sound like peacocks \u2013 not that peacocks are that common on campus, but perhaps a proud professor has left a window open.<\/p>\n

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The fox is easily recognised by its orange-brown fur. The chances of seeing the animal are not very high, this nocturnal animal can run very fast.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPIxabay Jon Pauling<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Ecologist Garry Bakker from Bureau Stadsnatuur creeps along the rear of the exam rooms towards the fox burrow. Will there be anyone home? He\u2019s as quiet as can be \u2013 so as to disturb neither the examinees nor the fox. There are twigs lying in front of the burrow. Unfortunately this is not a clever technique employed to protect it \u2013 they are a sign that the burrow is uninhabited.<\/p>\n

Why the foxes have left their homes is unknown to Garry. Perhaps the animal wanted new digs, or it could have been run over \u2013 not inconceivable, here right beside Abram van Rijckevorselweg. But there is no need to be concerned about occupancy rates on campus: foxes are happy to reuse existing burrows. Digging an entirely new hole is a hassle, so why not? A largish rabbit warren will do nicely.<\/p>\n\n\t

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