A Hunting Game Turned Entertainment
During the 17th and 18th centuries, European aristocrats engaged in an unusual pastime known as Fuchsprellen, or “fox tossing.” This game involved flinging live animals, particularly foxes, into the air using a sling-like fabric stretched between two people.
Played in Royal Courts
Fuchsprellen was popular in Germany and other parts of Europe, often held at grand events with nobility in attendance. Players stood apart, holding a large cloth between them, and would pull it tight when a fox or other animal was released onto it, launching the creature high into the air.
A Dangerous Spectacle
The game often included multiple animals, such as hares and badgers, which were thrown into the air repeatedly until they could no longer move. Some events saw hundreds of animals used, turning the activity into a large-scale event.
The Decline of the Practice
By the late 18th century, as attitudes toward animal cruelty shifted, Fuchsprellen faded from popularity. Today, it is remembered as one of the more unusual and controversial pastimes of European nobility.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, European aristocrats engaged in an unusual pastime known as Fuchsprellen, or "fox tossing." This game involved flinging live animals, particularly foxes, into the air using a sling-like fabric stretched between two people.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/XKB11vTchP
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 27, 2025