Why Do Foxes Open Their Mouths and Rise on Their Hind Legs When They Quarrel (7 photos)

Their comical chattering, which they consider a menacing growl, echoes throughout the forest, and their beautiful, bright coats glow like flames against the snow or greenery (foxes quarrel year-round).





Foxes are very cleverly organized. During quarrels, they almost never bite each other; at most, they push. They solve the problem of "who's the toughest" in a very peculiar way: they stand on their hind legs, place their forepaws on each other's shoulders, and open their mouths as wide as possible.



This strange, jumping dance is accompanied by screams and growls – for added intimidation. But the main thing is to open your mouth wide, because whoever opens their mouth wide is both bigger and generally the most formidable beast in the clearing. But that's not all.





When foxes place their paws on each other's shoulders, they try to place them on top of each other's paws because they are also competing in height. The one who places their paws on top is therefore bigger and (see previous paragraph) more dominant.



If foxes are tired, or for some reason too lazy to stand on tiptoe, they can squabble while sitting, simply with their mouths open and noses pressed together. And really – why waste their energy?



The matter can't be resolved without clever fox tricks: some foxes, when arguing standing up, try to place their paws not on their opponent's shoulders, but above them, even if they themselves are shorter than their opponent: perhaps they won't notice and will give in!



And if neither opponent wants to give in, and tricks have failed, then a scuffle on the ground begins, with even louder screams, bulging eyes, and spread claws.



It looks funny, but the foxes don't know it. They're busy with something extremely important, serious, and they have no idea how funny they are at such moments.