Where Do Foxes Reside – Humane Wildlife Removal

Where do foxes reside?

Foxes are omnivorous mammals belonging to the canine family, and as such they share many characteristics with animals like wild dogs and wolves. Three of the four variations of fox below belong to the Vulpes or “true fox” genus, while the gray fox belongs to the Urocyon genus, a family of tailed dogs that differs slightly in characteristics.

Varieties of fox can be found all throughout North America. They are intelligent, agile, and have extremely acute senses. They’re also typically very timid and easily frightened by humans.

There are four different types of foxes in North America:

The red fox breeds prolifically across all of North America, and indeed the world. It’s the most widely distributed mammal on the planet except for humans, and it’s what people most commonly think of when they hear the word “fox”.
The gray fox is present largely in regions south of Canada, and more so towards the east coast and South America.
The arctic fox (perhaps unsurprisingly) is found in the northerly most territories, and are out-competed in more southerly regions by the red fox.
The kit fox is typically only found in the southwestern United States and into central Mexico.

The Den

Foxes live in dens – burrows in the ground that the fox digs itself. In these dens, they rest, store food, and protect their young from predators and the elements. In rural areas, this could be in the ground, a hollow log, crevices in rock formations, or any other abandoned structures. In urban areas, foxes can sometimes be quite destructive in their search for shelter.

They need somewhere protected from the elements and predators to raise their young, so they can often make their home under decking, sheds, or other gaps in and around architecture instead of a natural setting. This can occasionally be problematic but it isn’t wholly dangerous, and since foxes don’t stick around long in one den, they don’t represent an extended problem if they do take up residence nearby.

Living Alongside Humans

Foxes can live in rural, semi-rural, and built-up areas, happily adapting to many different environments across the globe. Because of this adaptability, they’re able to successfully live alongside humans in any minimally accommodating areas, scavenging any food that they can. This behaviour (especially their penchant for going through garbage cans) is why they are commonly seen as pests and often targeted with traps and other repellents. The most important thing you can do is educate yourself on the animal you’re dealing with, and if you’re concerned about coming into contact with them, contact a professional who will happily advise you on what to do.