Foxes are remarkably vocal animals, possessing a diverse range of sounds that facilitate their communication. Their varied vocalizations are a significant aspect of their behavior, serving many purposes within their social structures and territories. These canid relatives produce a distinct auditory repertoire unique to their species.
The Diverse Fox Vocal Repertoire
The red fox alone is capable of over 20 distinct vocalizations. One of the most recognizable is the bark, which can be short, sharp, and high-pitched, sometimes described as a “yapping” sound. Another common bark variant is the “wow-wow-wow” call, which can surprisingly sound more like a bird than a mammal. Some barks, known as “yell barks,” begin similarly to regular barks but decrease in pitch towards the end.
A prominent and often startling sound is the fox’s scream, a loud, eerie, and drawn-out wailing that many people mistake for a human in distress. This high-pitched, blood-curdling sound can last several seconds. Foxes also growl, producing a low, throaty sound that resembles a dog’s growl.
Softer vocalizations include whimpers and whines, which are high-pitched and similar to a dog’s whine, sometimes losing frequency towards the end. Another unique sound is “gekkering,” a rapid series of chattering or clicking vocalizations, a stuttering and throaty noise that can include elements of growls and barks. Vixen (female foxes) may also make a low purr or “mew” sound, especially when interacting with their cubs.
What Fox Sounds Communicate
The various sounds foxes make serve specific communicative functions. Barks are used for general communication, acting as long-distance contact calls or declarations of territory ownership. They also serve as warning calls, alerting other foxes to potential threats or signaling the presence of food.
The unsettling scream often carries multiple meanings. Female foxes use screams as mating calls to attract males. This sound can also indicate distress or aggression, and both sexes may use it for territorial defense or to protect their young. Growls function as clear warnings, signaling a threat or indicating that other animals should stay out of a fox’s immediate territory.
Whimpers and whines typically convey submission or signal a need for attention. Mother foxes also use these soft sounds to calm their pups or to show affection. Gekkering is commonly heard during aggressive encounters between foxes, such as dominance disputes or fights, and can also occur during playful interactions among kits. Short, sharp coughs can act as alarm calls.
When and Why Foxes Vocalize
Fox vocalizations are often heard during specific periods and contexts. They are most vocal during the breeding season in winter. During this time, vixens frequently emit screams to attract male mates, while male foxes may also scream to assert their territory and deter rivals.
Territorial marking is another common reason for vocalization, with barks and screams serving to declare and defend a fox’s established home range. Communication between parents and their young is also a significant context for fox sounds. Whimpers and whines are exchanged for attention or to soothe cubs, and vixens may use a low “mew” to summon their offspring.
Foxes also vocalize when sensing danger, using alarm calls to alert their family members to potential predators. Aggressive encounters, whether serious disputes or playful interactions among young foxes, commonly involve sounds like gekkering. Since foxes are primarily nocturnal, many of these vocalizations are heard during the nighttime hours.
Identifying Fox Sounds in the Wild
Distinguishing fox sounds in the wild can be challenging, as their vocalizations can be mistaken for those of other animals, including owls, coyotes, or even domestic dogs and cats. Fox vocalizations tend to be higher-pitched than sounds produced by larger canids like dogs or coyotes.
Coyotes, for example, often howl or whine in groups, whereas foxes are more likely to vocalize individually. Listening for the volume and frequency of the sounds can assist, as fox barks and screams are notably loud and can travel over significant distances.