New Jersey is home to a thriving population of foxes, present in every county from the rural northwest to dense suburban corridors. These clever canids have successfully adapted to both natural and human-dominated landscapes. They are a common sight, navigating wooded parks, open fields, and residential neighborhoods. Understanding their behavior is the first step toward living alongside them.
The Two Species Found in New Jersey
New Jersey hosts two distinct species of fox: the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). The Red Fox is the more commonly encountered species, characterized by its bright orange-red coat, black lower legs, and a distinctive white tip on its bushy tail. They are the larger species, with adult males typically weighing around 12 to 13 pounds.
The Gray Fox has a grizzled salt-and-pepper gray coat with a black stripe running down its tail, often featuring rusty-yellow patches on its sides and neck. This species is unique among North American canids because it possesses semi-retractable claws, an adaptation that allows it to climb trees. Gray Foxes prefer denser, more secluded deciduous woodlands and are less tolerant of open agricultural or highly urbanized areas than their red counterparts.
Habitat and Feeding Habits
Foxes establish their homes, known as dens, in various sheltered locations. They utilize existing structures, such as abandoned woodchuck burrows, hollow logs, brush piles, or space beneath human decks and sheds. In suburban areas, these animals often den close to human activity, especially where sufficient cover exists.
The diet of both species is opportunistic and omnivorous, consisting of whatever food is most readily available. Their natural prey includes small rodents, rabbits, insects, and wild fruits and berries. This flexible diet often draws foxes to residential areas for human-related food sources. Scavenging unsecured garbage, spilled birdseed, or left-out pet food provides an easy, high-calorie meal that supports their survival in developed environments.
Coexisting Safely with Foxes
The most effective way to prevent conflicts is to remove all potential outdoor food attractants from your property. Secure trash cans with heavy lids or straps and bring pet food dishes indoors, particularly at night. Since foxes are primarily active from dusk until dawn, eliminating easy meals encourages them to forage elsewhere.
Protecting small pets requires supervision, as foxes may perceive unattended cats or small dogs as potential prey. Cats should be kept indoors, and small outdoor enclosures for chickens or rabbits must be robustly constructed. Fencing should be at least six feet high and include an apron of wire mesh buried or extended along the ground to prevent digging.
If a fox approaches or lingers without fear, it is important to haze the animal to restore its natural caution toward humans. This involves using loud, startling actions, such as shouting, clapping, or spraying the animal with a garden hose. The goal is to make the experience unpleasant so the fox associates human presence with a negative outcome. Rabies is uncommon in New Jersey foxes, accounting for a small percentage of confirmed animal cases annually. Any fox exhibiting abnormal behavior, such as staggering or extreme fearlessness, should be reported to local animal control.