Foxes, found across diverse landscapes, often spark curiosity about their behaviors. These adaptable canids leave various signs of their presence. People frequently wonder what sounds a fox makes or what physical markers they leave. Understanding these aspects provides insight into their lives.
The Vocal Repertoire of Foxes
Foxes possess a broad range of vocalizations, far beyond simple barks. These sounds serve as sophisticated communication tools within their social structures and territories. Scientists have identified numerous distinct calls, with red foxes alone producing over 20 different types of sounds.
One of the most recognized and often startling fox sounds is the “scream” or “vixen’s scream.” This loud, eerie, and drawn-out wailing sound is frequently mistaken for a human in distress. Both male and female foxes can produce this scream, though it is most commonly associated with the female (vixen) during the winter mating season to attract mates. Males may respond with a “hup hup hup” sound, and screams also serve to confirm territory between rival foxes.
Foxes also communicate through various types of barks. A short, sharp bark can signal immediate danger or serve as a warning. Some barks are deep and short, similar to a typical dog’s bark, while others are longer and raspy, indicating a fox’s nearby presence. The “wow-wow-wow” bark, sometimes mistaken for a bird, is a contact call or a declaration of territory ownership.
Softer, more intimate sounds include chatters, trills, whines, and whimpers. “Gekkering” is a chattering or clicking sound used during aggressive encounters, such as fights or play among foxes. Whines and whimpers are often used between a mother fox and her kits, or when foxes are submissive to a dominant individual. Kits use whimpers and yelps to communicate hunger, discomfort, or distress, while an adult fox’s growl might signal to its kits to feed or move.
Physical Evidence: Dens and Other Markers
Beyond their diverse vocalizations, foxes leave behind physical markers that indicate their presence and activities. These signs provide clues about their behavior and use of the environment.
Foxes create or adapt dens, often referred to as “earths,” for shelter, raising kits, and protection. They frequently repurpose existing burrows, such as abandoned groundhog or rabbit warrens, or sections of badger setts, rather than digging their own. Dens are important during the breeding season, providing a secure place for the vixen to give birth and raise her kits until they can survive above ground.
Foxes also leave behind scent markers, a primary form of chemical communication. They frequently mark their territories with urine and feces, conveying information about hierarchy, sexual status, and individual identity to other foxes. The smell of fox urine can be potent and long-lasting. Specialized glands, such as the violet gland at the base of the tail, also contribute to scent marking, particularly during the breeding season.
Tracks and trails are further physical signs of a fox’s presence. Fox footprints are similar to other canine tracks but tend to be narrower. These tracks typically appear in a straight line due to the fox’s alternating gait, and claw marks are usually visible. Discarded prey remains or cached food are other indicators of fox activity. Foxes often bury excess food in scattered locations for later consumption, a behavior called caching, which helps them survive periods of fluctuating prey availability.