Foxes are present throughout Ohio, inhabiting rural, suburban, and urban environments. Although widespread, their nocturnal habits often make them unseen, leading to the perception that they are rare. Understanding the specific species and their behaviors is the first step toward peaceful coexistence. This article details the two fox species found in Ohio and provides strategies for living safely alongside these canids.
Identifying Ohio’s Two Fox Species
Ohio is home to two fox species: the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). The Red Fox is the more common and widespread species. Its coat is typically rusty-red, with black legs and ears, and a bushy tail identifiable by its distinctive white tip.
The Gray Fox is unique among North American canids for its ability to climb trees. Its coat is a salt-and-pepper gray, featuring a black stripe down the tail that ends in a black tip. It also has reddish-orange patches along its neck, legs, and head.
The Gray Fox is generally smaller and stockier, and its climbing ability is achieved using semi-retractable claws. The Red Fox prefers open areas and suburban parks. The Gray Fox favors dense, wooded, and brushy habitats, making it less commonly seen near human development.
Habitat Preferences and Daily Routines
Foxes are highly adaptable. While they traditionally occupy rural habitats, Red Foxes have increasingly adapted to urban and suburban areas, sometimes using human settlements as a refuge. They establish dens in various locations, including abandoned burrows, beneath sheds, or in brush piles.
Gray Foxes prefer more natural den sites, often utilizing hollow logs, rock crevices, or securing a spot high up in a tree. Both species are primarily crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk, though they also hunt at night.
Seeing a fox during the day does not indicate illness; they may be active when raising pups and need to forage more frequently. The family unit remains together until the young disperse in the fall.
Strategies for Coexisting with Foxes
Peaceful coexistence involves removing artificial attractants that draw foxes near human residences. Securing outdoor garbage cans with tight-fitting lids eliminates a common food source and discourages foraging. Residents should avoid leaving pet food or water bowls outside, as these attract foxes and other wildlife.
To prevent denning, seal access points under decks, sheds, and porches. This should only be done after confirming the space is empty, especially in the spring when pups may be present.
If a fox is denning in an inconvenient location, nonlethal harassment, such as loud noises or placing objects with a strong human scent near the entrance, can encourage relocation. Foxes are a rabies-vector species in Ohio; any animal exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior should be reported to local authorities.