Austin, Texas, is known for its vibrant culture and diverse wildlife. Foxes are frequently encountered in Austin’s urban and suburban environments.
Fox Species in Austin
Two primary fox species inhabit the Austin area: the Grey Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). The Grey Fox is native to Texas and more common statewide. It typically has a salt-and-pepper gray coat with reddish-brown fur on its chest, legs, and ears, along with a distinctive black-tipped tail. Uniquely among canids, the Grey Fox can climb trees, using its sharp claws to ascend trunks and rest in branches. They are relatively small, weighing between 7 and 14 pounds, comparable to a small domestic dog.
The Red Fox, widespread globally, is not native to Texas, introduced in the late 19th century for sport and foxhound training. This species is larger than the Grey Fox, recognized by its rusty red fur, white underbelly, and a white-tipped tail. Red foxes also have black markings on their ear tips and legs. Both species are often active at night, though they may be seen around dawn or dusk.
Why Foxes Thrive in Urban Areas
Foxes exhibit remarkable adaptability, flourishing in urban settings like Austin. Cities provide abundant, readily available food sources, a significant factor in their success. Their opportunistic diet includes rodents, rabbits, birds, discarded human food, outdoor pet food, and contents from unsecured trash cans. Studies indicate human-derived food can constitute a significant portion of an urban fox’s diet.
Urban environments also offer diverse shelter options for foxes. They establish dens in various locations, including culverts, dense vegetation, brush piles, under sheds or porches, and even hollow trees. These spaces provide safe havens for raising young and resting. Urban areas often present reduced predation pressure compared to rural landscapes, contributing to higher survival rates. Their intelligence allows them to navigate human-dominated spaces, adjusting foraging and activity patterns to coexist with city life.
Living Alongside Urban Foxes
Coexisting with urban foxes involves understanding their behavior and taking preventative measures to minimize conflicts. Observe foxes from a distance; they are not typically dangerous unless cornered or rabid. Never intentionally feed foxes to prevent them from becoming overly reliant on human provisions.
Secure outdoor food sources: keep pet food indoors, especially overnight, and ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids. Small pets like kittens, small dogs, or poultry can be vulnerable to fox predation, particularly during dawn and dusk when foxes are most active. Protect these animals by supervising them outdoors or housing them in secure enclosures with buried L-shaped footers. If a fox is in a yard, making loud noises like yelling or clapping can deter it without causing harm. Austin’s Wildlife Austin initiative encourages community collaboration and public education to foster a balanced urban environment.