Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection

Fox Skull

The fox is in the Canidae family that includes wolves, jackals, coyotes and domestic dogs. The fox is an omnivorous creature, which means that it eats animals as well as plants. In cities, urban foxes will often eat the rubbish from our dustbins too, and are nocturnal. Male foxes are known as dogs; the females as vixens and young foxes are cubs.

The skull houses the brain. Every animal’s skull is adapted to its particular lifestyle and gives some clues to the animal’s eating habits. Here we can see that the eye sockets are large and forward facing, helping the animal find its prey. In the wild, the fox eats mainly small mammals and birds. Its teeth, particularly the canine teeth at the front, are sharp to help rip into its food. The jaw is powerful and can move up and down like scissors.

Stories of foxes are told all over the world. The fox is often portrayed as clever and wily and its scientific name, Vulpes, comes from the Latin word meaning cunning.

Part of the central nasal bone of this specimen is missing.

Fox Skull
Fox Skull
Fox Skull

The fox is in the Canidae family that includes wolves, jackals, coyotes and domestic dogs. The fox is an omnivorous creature, which means that it eats animals as well as plants. In cities, urban foxes will often eat the rubbish from our dustbins too, and are nocturnal. Male foxes are known as dogs; the females as vixens and young foxes are cubs.

The skull houses the brain. Every animal’s skull is adapted to its particular lifestyle and gives some clues to the animal’s eating habits. Here we can see that the eye sockets are large and forward facing, helping the animal find its prey. In the wild, the fox eats mainly small mammals and birds. Its teeth, particularly the canine teeth at the front, are sharp to help rip into its food. The jaw is powerful and can move up and down like scissors.

Stories of foxes are told all over the world. The fox is often portrayed as clever and wily and its scientific name, Vulpes, comes from the Latin word meaning cunning.

Part of the central nasal bone of this specimen is missing.