Red Fox
& Gray Fox

Join us here for our Sly Foxes presentation every Tuesday at 12:30pm.

These captive-bred red foxes were both surrendered pets.

Foxes are wild animals with natural behaviors and instincts that are not conducive to domestication. Unlike dogs, which have been selectively bred for thousands of years to live alongside humans, foxes retain much of their wild nature even if they are raised from a young age in captivity. This wildness can lead to unpredictable behavior and challenges in handling and training. Foxes have specific dietary, housing, and enrichment needs that can be difficult to meet in a domestic setting. They require a large outdoor enclosure with plenty of space to roam, dig, and exhibit natural behaviors. Their diet needs to be carefully balanced, and they have unique health considerations that require specialized veterinary care. 

Learn more from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/red-fox/

Gray foxes have specialized scent glands located on various parts of their body, including their feet. These scent glands produce a musky odor that is used for communication and marking territory. Gray foxes will often rub their scent glands on objects such as rocks, trees, or vegetation to leave behind their scent and establish their presence in an area.

The gray fox that you see was an orphan, found at only a few days old. Newborn gray foxes, also known as kits, are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother.

Learn more from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/gray-fox/