PARADISE, Michigan – Campers at Tahquamenon Falls State Park have had flip flops and crocs go mysteriously missing near the Rivermouth Campground, but this isn’t a story of a creepy thief. Instead, it’s a story of some furry, four legged friends that have a bizarre affection for your shoes. According to a Facebook post from the park, all of the campers’ shoes were later discovered outside of a fox den, with clear tooth marks in the flip flops.
“There has been a thief taking flip flops and crocs from the Rivermouth campers. It was discovered today that there are multiple thieves, and they have four legs and are adorable. All of the shoes shown were found outside a fox den. If you look closely, you can see teeth marks in the flip flops and straps have been chewed off the light pink crocs. Heads up if you are camping this summer at the Rivermouth, you’ll want to keep your shoes inside your camper.”
As it turns out, foxes are known to have an interest in shoes. Doing a quick google of the subject reveals story after story of neighborhoods terrorized by shoe-hungry foxes, including one fox that stole over 100 shoes in a Berlin neighborhood. So why do they keep stealing such a specific object?
NPR interviewed wildlife rehabilitator Elise Able in an episode of Weekend Edition, asking her pretty much that exact question. Apparently foxes just like firm yet a little squishy objects for them to sink their teeth into, plus the stinky smell of shoes is extra-inviting.
“If they’re going by on their rounds and there’s something like a shoe sitting there, it might smell interesting and want to pick it up and take it home for the kids, take it home for the vixen that’s watching those kids. Depending if it’s leather, it might actually be a tasty treat, or it might just be an interesting thing for everybody to play with.” – Elise Able
If you need to keep foxes away from your shoes, either bring them inside or tie some inflated balloons near the shoes. For some reason, the way an inflated balloon moves is really creepy to the furry critters.