Foxes are a common component of Missouri’s wildlife, inhabiting rural and increasingly suburban areas throughout the state. Residents often encounter these adaptable canids, which are widespread across the diverse landscape. Understanding the different types of foxes and their habits is key to appreciating their role in the local ecosystem.
Species Identification in Missouri
Missouri is home to two primary fox species: the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Distinguishing them involves observing key physical and behavioral characteristics.
The Red Fox is the slightly larger species, typically weighing between 7.5 and 15 pounds. Its coat is predominantly reddish-yellow, and it possesses a long, heavily furred tail that is circular in cross-section and tipped with white.
The Gray Fox weighs 5 to 15.5 pounds. Its coloration is a mixture of salt-and-pepper gray with buffy underfur, often featuring rusty-yellow patches on its neck, ears, and legs. A key visual difference is the tail, which has a black tip and is triangular in cross-section.
Both species are most active at dawn and dusk. The Red Fox is generally more active during these crepuscular hours and throughout the night. While chiefly nocturnal, the Gray Fox is often seen during the day.
A unique behavioral trait of the Gray Fox is its ability to climb trees. Unlike other canids, it uses its front feet to grasp the trunk and its hind feet to push upward, often climbing to sun itself or escape predators. The Red Fox lacks this arboreal skill, limiting its movement to the ground.
Distribution and Preferred Environments
Both species are found statewide, but their populations concentrate in different geographic regions. The Red Fox is more commonly found in the northern and western sections of the state. This species prefers open environments, such as open fields, meadows, agricultural areas, and the edges of woodlands.
The Gray Fox is most common in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. It prefers dense, brushy, and heavily forested areas, which supports its tree-climbing behavior. This preference makes the Gray Fox less adaptable to open suburban fringes than the Red Fox.
Red Foxes are highly adaptive to environments near human development, often establishing dens near farmsteads or suburban edges. Gray Foxes, due to their preference for dense cover, tend to stick to mature forest stands and rocky draws.
Interaction and Legal Status
Encountering a fox during the daytime is not a cause for alarm, as both species are active around dawn and dusk. If a fox is seen, observe it from a distance and leave it alone. Conflicts with humans usually arise when foxes are attracted to unsecured food sources in residential areas.
To prevent conflicts, residents should secure trash cans, remove pet food left outdoors, and ensure small pets like chickens or rabbits are housed in predator-proof enclosures.
Foxes are classified as furbearers in Missouri and are managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Both Red and Gray Foxes are subject to regulated hunting and trapping seasons. These regulations are set to manage populations and allow for the take of furbearers during specific times of the year. Hunting and trapping require appropriate permits, such as a Resident Small Game Hunting Permit, and must adhere to the methods and seasons outlined in the Missouri Wildlife Code.