I am fixin to start a diarama of a red fox and a pheasant. The form I choose for the fox is in a running position with the hind end elevated and only the left front foot will be on the ground. I am kicking around leaving the mouth of the mannikan closed as the way it came or altering it open a small amount. I will have to make a tongue as I cannot find any in a panting position. Question is what is ya'lls opinion on leaving the mouth closed (like the mannikan is manufactured). I am not sure of the reality of an animal running and the mouth being closed. (I feel I am circling the question.) In nature is it natural or not for an animals mouth to be completly shut while running or in pursuit of prey? Thats better.
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IMHO, a predator will "chase" it's preylong enough to catch it, not exerting more energy than it has to. The only time the mouth would be open occur's when "predator" fox is about to bring down it's prey. Not panting like an idiot after a 3 mile chase.
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The mouth can be closed,slight open or even full open if getting ready to grab the prey.The slight open sounds like a good choice if you feel like doing an open mouth.Mohr Specialties makes a relaxed tongue and a panting tongue for their red fox jawset.See the Research catalog.I don't see a thing wrong with doing it closed mouth.I just think that the slight open mouth adds a little detail and conveys something to the viewer.It is a fair amount of work though.