General Information

There are four species of foxes in North America, two of which live in Ohio. The two fox species that live in Ohio are the Red Fox and the Gray Fox. The gray fox is found in wooded, brushy or rocky areas with limited human disturbance and their range extends from southern Canada down to the northern edge of South America. As more forestland is removed for development, fewer gray fox habitats exist. This has made more room for red foxes, as they tend to be more adaptable than the gray fox.

The gray fox is named for its coloration; however its coat is not entirely gray. They are covered in areas of rust, white and black fur with their most distinguishing characteristic being the black tip on its tail. The gray fox is shorter and stockier than the red fox, whose most distinguishing characteristic is a white-tipped tail.

Adult gray foxes are generally solitary and have a home range of 1-2 miles on average. They are very territorial and will mark their scent throughout their territory to warn other animals of its presence. A gray fox will come together with other gray foxes only to mate and raise young. They are monogamous and usually have one litter of 4-5 kits each spring. Gray foxes will live and raise their young in a den. These dens can be dug by the fox itself or it can be made in a hollowed log, a rock crevice or even from an abandoned burrow of another mammal. The parents work cooperatively to teach and take care of their young. By fall of the same year, the kits are independent enough to go off on their own and establish their own territories.

Meet Our Grey Foxes

Two Grey Foxes, Ash and Buckeye, reside in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden (presented by KeyBank) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Lifespan

Wild: 6-8 years
Captivity: 10-12 years

Fun Facts

• The gray fox has semi-retractable claws and is one of two canine species that can climb trees.  The other is the Asian raccoon dog.
• When food supply is plentiful, a gray fox will cache its food to eat at a later time.  It digs a hole to place the food in and then covers it.  To make it easier to relocate the food, the fox will mark the area by using its scent glands or by urinating on it.
• The gray fox is normally nocturnal or crepuscular, being most active during the night time hours.  However, if a fox is spotted during the day, it does not necessarily mean that it is sick.  Foxes are opportunistic and will hunt for food any time necessary regardless of the time of day.
• Gray foxes live on a diet of Small mammals, birds and insects, as well as a variety of fruit.