Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” This week, I have a special guest all the way from Russia. Well, he lives in California now at the Judith A. Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center (JABCECC), but he was born in Russia.
He is just as sassy as I am and he also has a weekly report called the “Friday Chat with Vlad.” As you will soon read, he is proud of who he is and where he comes from and I caught a hint of attitude but since I am a professional journalist, I will just keep my snoot shut.
Reef: Hi Vlad, thanks for taking the time out of your obviously busy schedule to answer some questions today. Tell us a little bit about you.
Vlad: I am a Russian domesticated fox. This means that first off, humans selectively bred my relatives for a particular trait and only that trait, tameness. They did this for many years to a whole bunch of foxes. They did this so much in fact that it actually changed my genetics. This means that my offspring, if I were to have them, and we all know I am the most eligible bachelor around here, would be tame just because of the fact that they possess my superior genetics. Alternatively, if someone were to take a fox kit and raise it away from other foxes and only around humans, that fox could grow up to be quite friendly to people. This fox is not domesticated because if its offspring were not socialized around people they would be just like other foxes. We would say that the fox has been tamed.
Reef: What is a Russian domesticated fox?
Vlad: A Russian domesticated fox is a fox born at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics. We are part of the fox farm experiment conducted to better understand how wolves turned into domesticated dogs. This is what makes me such an exceptional fox.
Reef: So how are you different from me, because I am pretty tame and amazing?
Vlad: Scientists continue to find things that make Russian domesticated foxes different from other foxes. For instance, they have found our pituitary glands are unique. They have also found our adrenal glands are different. Of course our DNA is also different. These are all things that you will never have.
Reef: Do you think the Vlad and Reef show would get picked up by Netflix?
Vlad: As far as a Netflix show with Reef, I really don’t know your skill set. Personally, my talents are numerous. I do, however, see myself starring in a show as a crime fighter. All crime fighters do have a sidekick. If you could fill those shoes it could be an Emmy worthy show.
Well, we all know my skills are impressive and I did get named “Best Local Celebrity” in the Upper Keys last year, so not sure what sort of awards Vlad has won but it seems he and I have a healthy competition going on now for most interesting fox in the world.
You can find out more about the Russian domesticated foxes by visiting jabcecc.org. Until next time, Reef, over and out.
