Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids (slightly smaller than the medium-sized domestic dog), characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail (or ''brush'').

Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to the ''Vulpes'' genus of "true foxes". By far the most common and widespread species of fox is the red fox (''Vulpes vulpes''), although various species are found on almost every continent. The presence of fox-like carnivores all over the globe, together with their widespread reputation for cunning, has contributed to their appearance in popular culture and folklore in many societies around the world: (''see also Foxes in culture'').

Etymology

The Modern English word "fox" is Old English, and comes from the Proto-Germanic word ''fukh'' – compare German ''Fuchs'', Gothic ''fauho'', Old Norse ''foa'' and Dutch ''vos''. It corresponds to the Proto-Indo-European word ''puk-'' meaning "tail of it" (compare Sanskrit ''puccha'', also "tail"). The bushy tail is also the source of the word for fox in Welsh: ''llwynog'', from ''llwyn'', "bush, grove". Lithuanian: ''uodegis'', from ''uodega'', "tail", , from ''rabo'', "tail" and Ojibwa: ''waagosh'', from ''waa'', which refers to the up and down "bounce" or flickering of an animal or its tail. Male foxes are known as dogs or reynards, females as vixen, and young as kits, pups, or cubs. A group of foxes is a "skulk", "troop" or "earth".

General characteristics

In the wild, foxes can live for up to 10 years, but most foxes only live for 2 to 3 years due to hunting, road accidents and diseases. Foxes are generally smaller than other members of the family ''Canidae'' such as wolves, jackals, and domestic dogs. Reynards (male foxes) weigh on average, 5.9 kilograms (13 lb) and vixens (female foxes) weigh less, at around 5.2 kilograms (11.5 lb). Fox-like features typically include a distinctive muzzle (a "fox face") and bushy tail. Other physical characteristics vary according to habitat. For example, the fennec fox (and other species of fox adapted to life in the desert, such as the kit fox) has large ears and short fur, whereas the Arctic fox has tiny ears and thick, insulating fur. Another example is the red fox which has a typical auburn pelt, the tail normally ending with white marking. Litter sizes can vary greatly according to species and environment — the Arctic Fox, for example, has an average litter of four to five, with eleven as maximum.

Unlike many canids, foxes are not usually pack animals. Typically, they live in small family groups, and are opportunistic feeders that hunt live prey (especially rodents). Using a pouncing technique practiced from an early age, they are usually able to kill their prey quickly. Foxes also gather a wide variety of other foods ranging from grasshoppers to fruit and berries. The gray fox is one of only two canine species known to climb trees; the other is the raccoon dog.

Foxes are normally extremely wary of humans and are not usually kept as indoor pets; however, the silver fox was successfully domesticated in Russia after a 45 year selective breeding program. This selective breeding also resulted in physical and behavioral traits appearing that are frequently seen in domestic cats, dogs, and other animals, such as pigmentation changes, floppy ears, and curly tails.

Classification

Canids commonly known as foxes include members of the following genera:

''Alopex'': Arctic fox, although the definitive mammal taxonomy list as well as genetic evidence places it in ''Vulpes'', and not as a genus unto itself.

''Canis'': The Ethiopian Wolf, also called, variously, Semien fox or Semien jackal (though recently renamed to reflect its biological affinity with the gray wolf).

''Cerdocyon'': Crab-eating fox.

''Chrysocyon'': Maned wolf (in English), ''aguara guazú'' ("big fox" in Guarani) and ''zorro rojizo'' ("reddish fox," one of several names used by Spanish speakers).

''Dusicyon'': Falkland Islands fox.

''Lycalopex'': Six South American species.

''Otocyon'': Bat-eared fox.

''Urocyon'': Gray fox, island fox and Cozumel fox.

''Vulpes'': Including twelve species of true foxes, including the red fox, ''V. vulpes'', Tibetan Sand Fox, ''Vulpes ferrilata'' and their closest kin.

Diet

Foxes are omnivores. The diet of foxes is largely made up of invertebrates. However, it also includes rodents, rabbits and other small mammals, reptiles, (such as snakes), amphibians, scorpions, grasses, berries, fruit, fish, birds, eggs, dung beetles, insects and all other kinds of small animals. Many species are generalist predators, but some (such as the crab-eating fox) are more specialist. Most species of fox generally consume around 1 kg of food every day. Foxes cache excess food, burying it for later consumption, usually under leaves, snow, or soil.

Conservation

Foxes are readily found in cities and cultivated areas and (depending upon species) seem to adapt reasonably well to human presence.

Red foxes have been introduced into Australia which lacks similar carnivores other than the dingo, and the introduced foxes prey on native wildlife, some to the point of extinction.

Other fox species do not reproduce as readily as the red fox, and are endangered in their native environments. Key among these are the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) and the African bat-eared fox. Other foxes such as fennec foxes, are not endangered.

Foxes have been successfully employed to control pests on fruit farms while leaving the fruit intact.

Relationships with humans

Fox attacks on humans are not common but have been reported. In November 2008, an incident in the United States was reported in which a jogger was attacked and bitten by a rabid fox in Arizona. In July 2002, a 14-week-old baby was attacked in a house in Dartford, Kent, United Kingdom. In June 2010, 9-month-old twin girls were bitten on the arms and face when a fox entered their upstairs room in east London.

Fox hunting

Fox hunting is a controversial sport that originated in the United Kingdom in the 16th century. Hunting with dogs is now banned in the United Kingdom, though hunting without dogs is still permitted. The sport is practiced in several other countries including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia and the United States.

Domestication

The Russian Silver Fox, or Domesticated Silver Fox, is the result of nearly 50 years of experiments in the Soviet Union and Russia to domesticate the silver morph of the Red Fox. Notably, the new foxes not only became more tame, but more dog-like as well: they lost their distinctive musky "fox smell", became more friendly with humans, put their ears down (like dogs), wagged their tails when happy and began to vocalize and bark like domesticated dogs. They are also more likely to have piebald coats. The breeding project was set up by the Soviet scientist Dmitri K. Belyaev.

In culture

In many cultures, the fox appears in folklore as a symbol of cunning and trickery, or as a familiar animal possessed of magic powers.

References

External links

BBC Wales Nature: Fox videos

BBC Wild About Nature: Fox facts and videos

The fox website

More fox sound files

Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage fact sheet, 2004

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name	The Mighty Boosh
medium	Theatre, radio, television
active	1998–Present
genre	Double act, surreal humour
subject	Surrealism, fashion victims, ElectroPonce, fantasy
influences	Reeves & Mortimer, The Goodies, Mr Benn, Monty Python, Frank Zappa, Basil Brush, The Young Ones
notable work	''Autoboosh'' (2000)''The Boosh'' (2001)''The Mighty Boosh'' (TV, 2004–2007)''The Mighty Boosh Live'' (2006)''The Mighty Book of Boosh'' (Book, 2008)''Boosh Live: Future Sailors Tour'' (2008-09)''The Mighty Decider'' (iPhone app, 2010)
current members	Julian BarrattNoel FieldingDave BrownMichael FieldingRich Fulcher
website	The Mighty Boosh Online
footnotes	}}

The Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows and a six episode radio series, it has since spawned a total of twenty television episodes for BBC Three and two live tours of the UK, as well as two live shows in the United States.

History

Fielding first met Barratt after seeing him perform his solo stand-up routine at the Hellfire Comedy Club in the Wycombe Swan theatre. The pair soon found that they shared comic interests, formed a double act, and "decided to be the new Goodies". After their first performance together at a bar in London in April 1998, Barratt and Fielding developed their zookeeper characters - Howard Moon and Vince Noir, respectively - in a series of sketches for Paramount Comedy’s ''Unnatural Acts''. It was here that they also met American Rich Fulcher, who became Bob Fossil. Fielding’s friend Dave Brown and Fielding's brother Michael also became regular collaborators. Richard Ayoade was another original cast member, playing the role of adventurer Dixon Bainbridge, though he was later replaced by Matt Berry in the first television series, since Ayoade was under contract with Channel 4. Ayoade returned in the second and third series as a belligerent shaman named Saboo.

The Boosh produced three stage shows - ''The Mighty Boosh'' (1998), ''Arctic Boosh'' (1999) and ''Autoboosh'' (2000) - all of which were taken to the Edinburgh Fringe. With the success of ''Autoboosh'', a radio series was commissioned by the BBC. Produced by Danny Wallace, ''The Boosh'' was first broadcast in 2001 on BBC London Live, later transferring to BBC Radio 4, from which the team were given a half-hour television pilot of the same name.

The first eight-part series, directed by Paul King, was then commissioned for BBC Three and broadcast in 2004, with a second of six episodes the following year. The second series moved away from the zoo setting, and instead sees Howard, Vince, Naboo the shaman and Bollo the talking ape living in a flat in Dalston. In 2006, the Boosh returned to theatre with ''The Mighty Boosh Live'', which featured a new story entitled "The Ruby of Kukundu".

After two years away from television, the Boosh returned in November 2007. Set in Naboo’s second-hand shop below the flat, the third series drew approximately one million viewers with its first episode, and in light of its success, BBC Three broadcast an entire night of ''The Mighty Boosh'' on 22 March 2008, which included a new documentary and six of Barratt and Fielding's favourite episodes from all three series.

Theatre

Original stage shows

''The Mighty Boosh'' (1998)

The Boosh, then consisting of only Barratt and Fielding, conceived ''The Mighty Boosh'' whilst working on Stewart Lee's Edinburgh Festival show ''King Dong vs. Moby Dick'' in which they played a giant penis and a whale respectively.

In 1998, they took ''The Mighty Boosh'' to the Edinburgh Festival, recruiting fellow comedian Rich Fulcher, whom the pair had met while working on Unnatural Acts. The show won the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer. During their residency at the Hen and Chickens Theatre in North London the following year, they built up a cult following, introducing new characters whilst developing old ones.

''Arctic Boosh'' (1999)

In 1999, the Boosh returned to the Edinburgh Festival with a new show, ''Arctic Boosh'', with Dave Brown acting as choreographer and photographer, as well as playing a variety of characters. ''Arctic Boosh'' sold out every night and was nominated for the Perrier Award.

''Autoboosh'' (2000)

In 2000, the Boosh premiered their third stage show, ''Autoboosh'', at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, adding Fielding's younger brother Michael to the cast. ''Autoboosh'' won the festival's Barry Award.

Nationwide tours

''The Mighty Boosh Live'' (2006)

The Boosh returned to the stage in 2006, touring the UK for the first time. Though drawing heavily from their earlier material, the main story combined these elements into a new narrative. A recording of this show at the Brixton Academy was later released on DVD, before being broadcast on BBC Three on Boxing Day, 2007.

''Boosh Live: Future Sailors Tour'' (2008/09)

The Boosh toured the UK and Ireland for a second time from September 2008 to February 2009. The show featured characters from all three series as well as the Boosh Band.

They made appearances throughout the UK after their live shows, at after-parties held in different places in each city. The events were called "Outrage", after the catchphrase by Tony Harrison.

Radio

''The Boosh'' (2001)

From the success of ''Autoboosh'', the BBC commissioned a six-part radio series for the Boosh. In October 2001 ''The Boosh'' radio series, produced by Danny Wallace, was broadcast on BBC London Live, then BBC Radio 4, and later on BBC 7. The show focuses on the adventures of a pair of zookeepers at "Bob Fossil's Funworld": socially awkward, jazz enthusiast Howard TJ Moon, and ultra vain, fashion obsessed Vince Noir.

Further appearances

The Mighty Boosh returned to radio on 22 October 2004, in a one-off comedy special for ''The Breezeblock'', a show on BBC Radio 1. Instead of the plot driven nature of their own series, this show featured improvised conversational comedy with Barratt, Fielding and Fulcher, combined with the show's usual mix of electronic music.

On 15 November 2007, as part of the publicity for the premier of their third series the same day, Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding returned to Radio 1, this time on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge.

Television

''The Mighty Boosh'' (2004-2007)

In May 2004, after the success of a Boosh pilot, Steve Coogan's company, Baby Cow Productions, produced the first television series of ''The Mighty Boosh'' for BBC Three, before it moved to BBC Two in November that same year. Though each episode invariably starts and ends in Dixon Bainbridge’s dilapidated zoo, the "Zooniverse", the characters of Vince and Howard often depart for other locations, such as the Arctic tundra and limbo.

A second series was then shown in July 2005, which saw Howard and Vince now sharing Naboo's flat in Dalston with previously minor characters Naboo and his familiar, Bollo, who was a gorilla living at the "Zooniverse". This series had an even looser setting as the four characters leave the confines of the flat in every episode, using their van to travel to a variety of surrealistic environments, including Naboo's home planet "Xooberon".

Series three started in November 2007, still set in Dalston, but this time has the foursome working in their shop called the Nabootique selling 'Bits & Bobs'. Their adventures and outings in the third series focused more on the involvement of new characters (e.g. Sammy the Crab, or Lester Corncrake etc.) rather than just the two of them.

Although BBC America originally aired only series 1 in the U.S (all episodes in their entirety), The Mighty Boosh began airing in North America on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block (with up to 6 minutes cut from each episode), starting 29 March 2009 with the third series.

''The Mighty Boosh'' Night

On 22 March 2008, BBC Three broadcast a whole night of ''The Mighty Boosh'' from 9.05 pm, starting with a new documentary entitled ''The Mighty Boosh: A Journey Through Time and Space'', documenting the history of the Boosh from their first amateur performances to their then-upcoming 2008 tour. This was followed by six of Barratt and Fielding's favourite episodes from the three series: "Party", "The Power of the Crimp", "The Nightmare of Milky Joe", "The Priest and the Beast", "The Legend of Old Gregg" and "Tundra". The pair also appeared in live links throughout the night, in a similar style to the openings of Series 1 episodes. On 23 December 2008, BBC3 held a Merry Booshmas Party featuring the entire series 3 as well as a broadcast of The Mighty Boosh Live.

Festival

On 5 July 2008, the Boosh held their own festival in the Hop Farm in Kent. It featured musical acts, Robots in Disguise, The Kills, Gary Numan, and The Mighty Boosh Band, as well as comedy acts Frankie Boyle and Ross Noble.

Media

Audio CDs

! Title	! Release date	! Contents	! Bonus material
	8 November 2004	All 6 episodes of the Boosh's radio series across 3 discs
	13 November 2006	Audio recording of their live show at Brixton Academy	N/A

According to an official MySpace page for PieFace Records (the fictitious music label mentioned throughout the series), Barratt and Fielding are to release an album of music from the show, "along with extras, versions, remixes and rare unreleased stuff all to be released later in the year on their own label - this one.". In interviews since, The Mighty Boosh have confirmed they will be releasing an album of their music. On 21 October episode of ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'', Fielding stated that the Boosh have recorded an album, but don't know when it's going to be released.

DVDs

! Title	! UK Release date	! US Release date	! Contents	! Special features
	29 August 2005	21 July 2009	All 8 episodes of the first television series across 2 discs	Inside the Zooniverse, history of the Boosh, Boosh music, out-takes, picture gallery, commentary on "Bollo", "Tundra", "Electro" and "Hitcher".
	13 February 2006	21 July 2009	All 6 episodes of the second series, plus a second disc of special features
''The Mighty Boosh: Series One & Two''	13 February 2006	n/a	Box set of first and second series DVDs, plus exclusive booklet	Identical to individual releases
	13 November 2006	n/a	Recording of their live show at Brixton Academy	Backstage & tour documentary, the Ralfe Band, a deleted scene, The Culture Show piece
	11 February 2008	21 July 2009	All 6 episodes of the third series across 2 discs	Making Boosh 3, Boosh publicity, deleted scenes, Mint Royale promo, Boosh music, out-takes, Boosh 3 trailer, audio commentaries
The Mighty Boosh Special Edition DVD	17 November 2008	13 October 2009	Box set of first three series DVDs, plus seventh disc	Identical to individual releases, plus stickers, postcards, 'A Journey Through Time and Space' documentary, behind the scenes of a live night, footage from the Royal Television Society Awards, Dave Stewart interview, the making of Sammy the Crab, outtakes and deleted scenes from the pilot, pre-recorded live night links, cinema trailer,
''[[Mighty Boosh On Tour: Journey Of The Childmen">crimp (song)
	9 November 2009	n/a	A DVD release of Boosh Live at the Manchester Apollo on 3 & 4 December 2008	Features the full show, commentary, audience participation option, Bob Fossil's Vietnam Video Diaries, highlights from The Mighty Boosh Festival and performances from the Teenage Cancer Trust concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Footage was filmed during the aftershow party that week at Club Academy, and members of the audience in costumes were filmed and photographed throughout the week, which may also add towards the additional features. There will also be a "Limited Edition".
''[[Mighty Boosh On Tour: Journey Of The Childmen''	15 November 2010	n/a

Previously most of the DVDs were only released in Region 2 but as a result of a growing fan base in the U.S., the BBC rereleased in Region 1, Series 1-3 individually on 21 July 2009, and a Special Edition Series 1-3 Boxset on 13 October 2009.

Australian releases

''Series One'' - 11 April 2007

''Series Two'' - 12 April 2007

''Series Three'' - 6 August 2008

''Live'' - 3 December 2008

''Special Edition'' - 6 August 2009

''Future Sailors Tour'' - 10 November 2009

''Series One: Episodes 1-3 (Comedy Bites)'' - 4 March 2010

Books

On 18 September 2008, Canongate Books published ''The Mighty Book of Boosh'', designed and compiled by Dave Brown and written by Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt, Rich Fulcher, Dave Brown, Richard Ayoade and Michael Fielding. The book includes original stories, crimps, concept art, behind-the-scenes photography, comics, and various other things, featuring old and new Mighty Boosh characters. On 1 October 2009, a paperback version was released under the name ''The Pocket Book of Boosh''.

Awards

Particularly popular among followers of the indie and electro music genres which the NME magazine caters to, The Mighty Boosh has been recipient of the Shockwaves NME Awards Best TV Show for three consecutive years, even though there were no new episodes broadcast for the latter two of the three years.

Year	! Award	Category	! Nominee	! Result
1999			''Arctic Boosh''
2000	Melbourne International Comedy Festival		''Autoboosh''
2001	Douglas Adams Award	Innovative Writing
2004	British Comedy Awards	Best New TV Comedy
2004		Funniest TV Programme
2005		Costume Design - Entertainment and Non Drama Productions
2005		Best New Director (Fiction)	Paul King (director)
2008	Alistair Baldwin Comedy Awards	Best Stage Show
2006	Loaded LAFTAS	Funniest TV Programme
2006	Loaded LAFTAS	Funniest Double Act
2006	Loaded LAFTAS	Funniest DVD	Series 2
2007	[[Chortle Awards	Best Full-Length Solo Show
2007	Loaded LAFTAS	Funniest TV Programme
2007	Loaded LAFTAS	Funniest Double Act
2007	NME Awards	Best TV Show
2008	NME Awards	Best TV Show
2008	RTS Programme Awards	Situation Comedy and Comedy Drama
2009		NME Awards	Best TV Show
2010		NME Awards	Best DVD	Future Sailors

Notes

External links

The Mighty Boosh official site

BBC Mighty Boosh Mighty Boosh on bbc.co.uk

Mike Fielding Interview www.vexedmag.com

UKTV Mighty Boosh Mighty Boosh on UKtv.co.uk

The Book of Boosh official website

Category:The Mighty Boosh Category:BBC radio comedy programmes Category:BBC television sitcoms Category:2000s British television series Category:2004 television series debuts Category:2004 in British television Category:Television shows set in London

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