Family of adorable fox pups playing captured in stunning images

These photos show a family of adorable fox pups playing - in a cemetery. Marc Freebrey, 49, spent several hours with a vixen and her two cubs during a 'special' encounter. In the photographs, taken this month in a cemetery in Central London, the vixen (mother fox) can be seen taking the her baby foxes out of the den for a play and a feed.

Marc, who is based in Gloucestershire, said: "They never ventured far from the mother, and she was always keeping an eye on all of them. This mum had four cubs, but two of them were very playful and were drinking water from the granite memorial vase.

"Foxes can often be seen in urban cemeteries as they are usually quiet and offer green and open space for protection, with many having water features as a water source. Food is also often plentiful with many visitors leaving food behind.

"Foxes will often dig under gravestones as they make a perfect site for a den in which they will typically give birth to four to five cubs in early spring."

After travelling over three hours to capture the heart-warming photographs, Marc was "excited" as he caught the interactions. He explained: "Being in their presence is thrilling and it's a real privilege to see a family interact in their natural environment.

"For the animals' well being, you have to be respectful to the foxes and keep a safe distance, especially around young. I knew this was a special moment and I hoped the pictures would capture the emotion of the encounter."

Marc, who has always had a 'deep interest in wildlife', started taking photography more seriously during Covid in order to insure he was spending time outdoors. Marc, whose main occupation is chief marketing officer for an international software company, is also known for capturing stunning wildlife scenes from around the country - as he recalls taking "great joy in sharing the photos and making people aware of the wonderful nature we have all around us."

Marc added: "It is important to appreciate what we have and not take it for granted."

According to the RSPCA, fox cubs - which can also be called pups or kits - are born in the spring and there are usually four to five cubs in each litter. They may look cute and cuddly but they are wild animals with a fierce bite. They are incredibly smart and have a keen sense of sight, hearing, and smell.

Fox cubs are born blind and deaf, weighing about 100g and their fur is dark grey. This changes to a dark brown in the first two weeks as their ears and blue eyes open.

At one-month-old, their red fur starts to come through on their face and their eyes change colour to amber. As they start to take their first steps outside of the den their muzzle turns white.

By six to eight weeks their dark fur fades to red and are weaned from their mother. They're starting to become independent and spending time exploring outside the den.

During the spring, the cubs will grow and become independent, while the adults leave the den and start to moult. It can take several months for their new coats to completely grow back. In the autumn, the cubs are fully grown and they will leave their family group to find territories of their own.

Follow Mark's wildlife photography work here: https://www.instagram.com/marcfreebrey/