Foxes in Florida: 2 Types and Where They Live

Florida is home to over 200 freshwater fish and 700 terrestrial animals, including foxes. Popular for their big bushy tails and sly demeanor, these medium-sized mammals are fascinating creatures. What type of foxes live in the sunshine state, and where are you most likely to see one? Follow along as we reveal everything you need to know about foxes in Florida.

1. Gray Fox

The gray fox lives throughout Florida. However, you’re most likely to run into one in the northern part of the state. Gray foxes are nocturnal and elusive animals. So, the most likely time to see one would be at dusk, dawn, or in the middle of the night.

Appropriately nicknamed the tree fox, gray foxes are excellent climbers. They use their strong front legs to strap on to the front of the trees. Then their powerful hind legs help push them up. When it’s time to come down, gray foxes usually go backward. But if the tree has enough slant, some run head-first to reach the ground!

These agile hunters will eat almost anything they can find. Fruits, berries, small birds, rodents, fish, carrion, and more are all on the menu. But not so much chickens.

While other foxes are infamous for raiding hen houses, gray foxes aren’t prone to this behavior. Instead, they stick to their dense forest habitats, where they help balance rabbit and rodent populations.

Appearance

To identify a gray fox, start with the tail. Gray foxes have black-tipped tails. Other foxes, like the red fox, have white-tipped tails.

They may be called “gray,” but it’s normal for gray foxes to have a lot of red furs and white underbellies. Beneath the tail and neck, look for a mustard or rusty yellow color. Along the back of the back, there should be a black coloration that extends to the black-tipped tail.

If it’s the size of a small dog, it might be a fox. Foxes aren’t usually large, and gray foxes are no exception. Gray foxes typically weigh around 13 pounds and can be as long as 40 inches. The length includes their bushy, footlong tail.

2. Red Fox

The red fox is spread throughout Florida. However, most red foxes are found in the northern part of the state. The most likely time to see a red fox is at dawn or dusk.

Like the gray fox, red foxes enjoy eating rabbits, mice, and rats. Something unique about these foxes is that they think ahead for future meals. If there’s a lot of food around, they’ll kill more than they need and store the extra in the ground.

One of the ways red foxes hunt rodents is by listening for them. These foxes have incredible hearing that allows them to hear rodents digging underground. They can hear prey that’s miles away!

Another fascinating fact about red foxes is that they have 20 different sounds. The adults have 12 sounds they can make, and the kits have eight.

Appearance

Red foxes are also small and usually way between 10 to 15 pounds. They have a length of 2 feet, which doesn’t include their tail. The biggest difference between the red and gray foxes is that the red fox has a white-tipped tail.

Some red foxes have more of a golden color, while others have a dark chestnut red. However, the most common color is a rusty red with a white underbelly. The ears have black tips, and so do the legs.

Are Florida Foxes Dangerous?

Florida foxes are more afraid of you than you are afraid of them. If you encounter one in the wild, it’s most likely to flee. A fox that doesn’t flee might be used to people feeding it.

Animals who have lost their fear of humans can be a danger. Stay away from any foxes that try to approach you, and never approach a fox in the wild. These animals are best admired from a distance. If a curious fox does begin to come your way, shout and clap your hands to make them leave.

What Else Should You Know About Florida Foxes?

Both fox species in Florida, the gray and red fox, belong to the canine family. However, even though they technically pack animals, foxes are solitary creatures. They live a lot of their lives on their own, wandering through the woods and sometimes in the cities.

When foxes live in the cities, they get pretty creative with their housing choices. Sometimes they’ll dig their dens beneath buildings and even homes. Other times they’ll dig their dens underneath the railway embankments.

If a fox dug its den under the home, your nose would know! These animals have a reputation for being smelly. Foxes have glands at the base of their tails that emit a musty scent. The scents are one of the ways they communicate with each other.

Finally, Florida foxes act a lot like cats. They play with all sorts of random objects and even other animals!

Up Next…

• Fox Poop: What Does Fox Scat Look Like?
• Are Foxes Canines or Felines (Or Are They Something Else?)
• What Do Foxes Eat?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.com