Meet New York State's Foxes
New York is home to two species of fox: the red fox and the gray fox.
RED FOX
Red foxes are typically recognized by their reddish-orange coat, black legs, pointed ears, and long bushy tail with a white tip. Despite their name, their coats can vary considerably in color.
GRAY FOX
Gray foxes are generally smaller and stockier, with a grizzled gray coat and a dark stripe running along the top of the tail. Unlike red foxes, gray foxes are excellent climbers and can even climb trees!
Fox Facts
The More We Know, The More We Can Help
MISUNDERSTOOD
Foxes are intelligent, adaptable, and incredibly important members of our ecosystem. Despite living alongside us in both rural neighborhoods and busy communities, they are often misunderstood. Learning what is normal fox behavior can help prevent unnecessary fear and allow us to safely coexist with these beautiful animals.
SIGNS OF RABIES
Rabies can cause noticeable changes in an animal’s behavior and coordination. Possible signs include unusual aggression, confusion, restlessness, loss of fear, stumbling, weakness, paralysis, difficulty swallowing, excessive drooling, or unexplained vocalizations.
An animal may also appear unusually tame, disoriented, or unable to move normally. These signs can vary, and other illnesses or injuries may cause similar symptoms. Never approach or handle an animal that appears sick or is behaving abnormally.
*This fox pictured was positive for rabies
FOX FAMILIES
Fox kits are generally born in the spring and spend their first weeks safely inside or close to their den. As they grow, they begin exploring, playing, wrestling, and learning the skills they will eventually need to survive on their own.
It is completely normal to see kits outside a den without an adult nearby. Their parents are often out hunting or may be watching from a distance.
Unless a kit is injured, sick, clearly in distress, or you know its mother has died, the best thing you can usually do is give the family space.
NATURE’S RODENT CONTROL
Foxes provide an incredibly valuable service to our communities.
Mice, voles, rats, and other small mammals make up an important part of their diet. A fox family can consume a tremendous number of rodents while raising their young.
Allowing natural predators to do their job is one of the safest forms of rodent control—and it doesn’t introduce poison into the food chain.
GRAY FOXES CAN CLIMB TREES!
One of the most fascinating differences between our two fox species is the gray fox’s remarkable ability to climb trees.
Gray foxes have strong, curved claws that are semi-retractable, giving them additional grip when climbing. They also have highly flexible hind limbs with ankles that can rotate considerably, allowing their rear feet to turn and helping them grip a tree trunk as they climb and even descend headfirst.
These unique adaptations make the gray fox one of the few members of the canine family capable of climbing trees so effectively. They may climb to escape danger, rest, search for food, or find a safe place above the ground.
So if you ever look up and see a fox in a tree, you really did see what you thought you saw!
MANGE IS TREATABLE
Mange is caused by microscopic mites and can lead to severe itching, hair loss, thickened skin, and crusting.
A fox with mange may be seen during the daytime or may behave differently because it is hungry, cold, uncomfortable, or having difficulty seeing. A fox with mange is not automatically rabid.
Early intervention can make an enormous difference. With appropriate treatment and supportive care, even foxes with significant mange can make remarkable recoveries and eventually return to the wild.
FOXES CACHE THEIR FOOD!
Have you ever seen a fox bury food?
This is called caching, and it is completely normal behavior. When a fox has more food than it needs at that moment, it may bury or hide the extra and return for it later.
Caching is one of the many behaviors that demonstrates just how resourceful foxes are.
FOXES USUALLY DON'T WANT TROUBLE WITH PEOPLE
Foxes are naturally cautious animals and generally prefer to avoid people.
Seeing a fox in your yard doesn’t necessarily mean you need to remove it. Your property may simply be part of its normal territory or a route between its den and hunting grounds.
Never intentionally feed wild foxes. Secure garbage, don’t leave pet food outdoors, supervise small pets, and give fox families plenty of space.
LEARNING TO LIVE ALONGSIDE WILDLIFE
As our communities continue to overlap with wildlife habitat, encounters with foxes and coyotes will become increasingly common.
Understanding their behavior replaces fear with knowledge. In many situations, a fox and a coyote living quietly in your neighborhood isn’t a problem at all...it’s simply one of your wild neighbors.
Observe from a distance. Respect their space. Never intentionally feed them. And if you see a fox or coyote that appears injured, orphaned, or sick, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
Knowledge protects wildlife.
DON'T BLAME THE FOX, SECURE THE FLOCK!
Foxes sometimes get a bad reputation when it comes to backyard chickens, but they’re only one of many predators that may see an unprotected chicken as an easy meal. Hawks, owls, fishers, bobcats, raccoons, coyotes, and even the neighbor’s dog can pose a threat.
Foxes can be especially active during the spring and early summer when they are raising hungry kits and working hard to provide enough food for their growing family. And like most wildlife, foxes are opportunistic—once they discover an easy, reliable food source, they’re likely to return. An unsecured chicken coop or run can quickly become one of those dependable food sources.
That’s why the best way to protect your flock is prevention, not predator removal. Chickens should have a secure coop and a fully enclosed, predator-resistant run that protects them from above, below, and on all sides. Use sturdy hardware cloth, secure doors and latches, cover the top of the run, and don’t forget about digging predators that may try to get underneath.
Remember, predators aren’t being “bad”—they’re simply following their natural instincts and trying to survive and feed their young. It’s our responsibility to protect our domestic animals while allowing our wild neighbors to remain wild.
Secure the coop. Protect the flock. Respect the wild.
HOW can you help?
There are so many ways to make a difference! Donate, shop our Amazon Wish List, send much-needed supplies, or simply help spread the word. Every act of kindness helps us provide food, medical care, shelter, and rehabilitation to wildlife in need.
Together, we can give them a second chance at life in the wild.
