Both red and gray foxes give birth in March-April. Average litters are 5 kits for red foxes and 4 kits for gray foxes. Both species typically only have one litter each season. Kits are born furred, with eyes and ears closed. They are weaned between 2 and 3 months of age and independent between 4 and 5 months. The father fox will help provide food for the young, although he does not den with the family. Foxes are primarily active at dawn and dusk. They can be found in a variety of habitats, with gray foxes preferring more wooded and brushy areas.
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When fox kits emerge from the den, they are often left unsupervised by their mother while she hunts. It is common to think they are orphaned during this stage of development. It is important to observe the fox family from a distance to see if the mother returns. If the mother is known to be deceased, but the kits are old enough to be weaned, their father or an older female relative can care for them until they are independent.
Found a baby fox?
Young foxes are cared for by the mother, father, and sometimes older female family members. Observe the fox kit(s) from a safe distance to see if an adult is feeding them. If no adult is seen or the kits appear injured, skinny, or ill, a rehabilitator should be contacted.
Do any of the following apply?
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the baby has an obvious injury
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the baby has been in the mouth of a dog or cat (even if it does not appear to be injured)
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flies are swarming around the baby and/or it is covered in fly eggs, which look like tiny grains of white rice. Flystrike is most often seen around the face and under the tail.
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the baby is cold, wet, and/or lethargic
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the mother is confirmed dead or has been illegally relocated AND there are no other adults feeding the babies
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the baby is very small with eyes closed and has been seen outside of a den with no adult present
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the baby is mobile, but an adult fox has not been seen for a day
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If you answered YES to any of these prompts, call a licensed rehabilitator for advice.
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If the answer to all prompts is NO, attempts should be made to reunite the baby with its family.
Foxes are considered a rabies vector species. Never handle foxes with bare hands. If you must handle a fox, use heavy gloves or a thick barrier to transfer the animal into a box or carrier.
If you see a fox that appears to be sick, disoriented, or overly friendly or aggressive, reach out to a licensed rehabilitator. Some towns may have Animal Control that are willing to respond or assess the situation. Keep pets and children away from the animal.
In addition to rabies, foxes are also susceptible to distemper. Distemper is not transmissible to humans, but the symptoms can look similar to rabies.
Mange in foxes
Foxes are susceptible to mange, which causes fur loss and crusty lesions on the body. Mange is caused by mites and can be treated, but the fox needs to be caught first! Newhouse Wildlife Rescue has an informative video that discusses mange and how to aid in the capture of foxes that are suffering from it. Click here to view.