Becky Brown, age 11, of St. Paul, Minn., for her question:

IS THE FOX REALLY SLY?

Legends and fables often portray the fox as a sly, clever animal. One of Aesop's fables, "The Fox and the Crow," tells how a hungry fox tricks a vain crow out of a tasty piece of cheese. In real life, however, experts consider the wolf a more crafty animal. Still, the fox is a self sufficient, energetic little fellow, and his various kinfolk thrive in most areas of the world including the arctic and desert regions. If his ability to adapt beautifully to a challenging environment can be called sly, then sly he is without a doubt.

With some variations among species, our furry little friend weighs around nine pounds, measures about 25 inches in length, with, an additional 15 inches of bushy tail. With his keen hearing and excellent sense of smell, he avoids potential predators and locates all kinds of food. Although small rodents are dining favorites, he will eat just about anything  birds, lizards, insects, fruits and the remains of dead animals. Mated foxes are loyal and protective parents, providing snug dens for their youngsters and plenty of instruction before sending them out on their own.