Fresh snowfall presents a unique opportunity to observe the movements of wildlife. Learning to accurately read these signs, particularly the tracks left by a fox, allows for a greater understanding of this common but elusive animal. Identifying fox tracks requires attention to the fine details of the individual print and the overall pattern of the trail.
Key Features of an Individual Fox Print
A single, well-defined fox track is generally smaller and more elongated than those left by many other canids. Red fox prints typically measure between 1.75 to 2.5 inches long and 1.5 to 2 inches wide. The hind prints are usually slightly smaller than the front, and this size distinction helps differentiate them from larger prints left by a coyote or a domestic dog.
The overall shape of the print is often described as oval or diamond-shaped, appearing narrower and less splayed than a typical dog’s track. Like all canines, a fox track clearly shows four toes and a single, distinct heel pad. The heel pad itself is characteristically triangular, and the toes are tightly grouped, especially in the hind feet.
Examining the negative space created between the central heel pad and the four toe pads is a key diagnostic feature. In a fox print, this empty space often forms a distinct “X” shape. The claws, which are non-retractile, usually register as small, sharp marks directly ahead of each toe pad.
For red foxes, the print detail may be slightly blurred or softened in the snow because of the dense fur covering their paw pads during winter. The front track may also display a faint, unique chevron or bar-shaped indentation across the heel pad, a feature not found in other wild canids.
The Fox’s Signature Stride
The most reliable way to confirm a fox sighting is by observing the trail pattern it leaves behind. The fox conserves energy, especially when traveling long distances, by using a movement known as the direct register trot.
During this gait, the fox places its hind foot almost exactly into the print left by the corresponding front foot. This precise, overlapping step reduces the number of holes punched through the snow, which saves considerable energy. The result is a remarkably straight, narrow line of tracks that looks like the animal was walking on a tightrope.
The distance between these single-file tracks, known as the stride, will be consistent, indicating a relaxed, steady pace. This straight path is the signature of a fox on the move, whether patrolling its territory or searching for food. Although a fox may occasionally switch to a lope or gallop, the straight, single-file trot is the most common pattern found in their trails.
How to Distinguish Fox Tracks from Other Canids
Identifying fox tracks often involves comparing them to the prints left by domestic dogs and coyotes. The simplest initial comparison is size, as coyote tracks are generally larger, averaging around 2.5 to 3 inches in length, while domestic dog tracks can be significantly bigger.
The difference between a fox and a dog trail is perhaps the most pronounced and easiest to spot. Domestic dogs rarely use the energy-efficient direct register gait, resulting in a trail that is typically erratic, meandering, and often features a wide side-to-side pattern. Dog tracks are also generally wider and rounder than the narrow, oval fox prints, often showing more splayed toes.
The distinction from coyote tracks is more subtle, relying on the combination of size, shape, and trail precision. Although coyotes also tend to walk in a straight line, their tracks are typically wider and more oval than a fox’s, lacking the distinct narrowness. Fox tracks are often described as having a rounder appearance compared to the more egg-shaped coyote print.
Comparison also involves the toe pads and the negative space. The toes of a coyote are usually larger in proportion to the heel pad than a fox’s, and the coyote’s middle pad is smaller relative to the overall track size. Combining the observation of the small, narrow, diamond-shaped print with the straight, single-file trail helps distinguish fox tracks from its larger canine relatives.