Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Fox (Rabies Vector Species)
Urocyon cineroargentus

Foxes are one of the most widely studied of urban wildlife species in the world. Numerous research papers are devoted exclusively to urban foxes, studying everything from population and behavior to reviews of injury and disease.

Habitat: Foxes prefer diverse habitats that include fields, woods, shrubby cover, and farmland. Both species of foxes (red and gray) readily adapt to urban and suburban developments.

Diet: Foxes eat a wide variety of plant and animal matter.

Public Health Issues Associated with Foxes

• Foxes are a primary carrier of mange.

• Foxes are not dangerous to humans except when they are rabid. A fox’s natural tendency is to flee rather than to fight.

Problems Associated with Foxes

• Foxes will occasionally prey on such small animals as cats, kittens, rabbits, or guinea pigs when they are left outside and unprotected.

Solutions

• Outdoor pets such as rabbits and poultry should be housed in secure hutches or pens. Because foxes can dig under fences, it is important that an eight-inch or greater L-shaped footer be buried at least a foot deep along the outer perimeter of the cage.

• Electric fences are also effective.

• Avoid leaving food products or food remnants in areas where foxes may visit.

Additional Notes

If a fox is frequenting an area and is not wanted, a simple deterrent is to soak rags with ammonia in the evening and place them around the area. Repeat for four or five evenings. Most important, remove dog or cat food from the area. Only give as much food to your pets as they can eat at one time.