Day 4: Gray Fox
Species: Gray Fox
Current status: Released
Number of days in care: 116 Days
A young female Gray Fox arrived on May 19th, after being discovered in an unusual spot—the Ritz Carlton in Goleta, California. Upon admission, she was moderately dehydrated, burdened with parasites (ticks, lice, and fleas), and suffering from conjunctivitis and suspected mange.
Over 116 days of expert care, she received treatments for parasites and eye infections, essential vaccinations, and a tailored diet to support her recovery and growth.
Gradually, she regained her strength, gained weight, and showed remarkable improvement. By early September, she was declared in excellent health and ready to return to the wild.
On September 12, 2024, this resilient fox was successfully released back to the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara, CA, marking a triumphant return to her natural habitat.
Gray Fox Fun Facts:
Gray Foxes are one of the only canid species capable of climbing trees, thanks to their rotating wrists and semi-retractable claws. They use this unique skill to forage, escape predators, or find a high den—earning them the nickname "tree fox" or "cat fox."
Adult Gray Foxes measure up to 47 inches long and weigh between 6 and 15 pounds, with coarse salt-and-pepper gray fur and a black-tipped tail marked by a striking black stripe along its top.
Gray Foxes are surprisingly vocal, communicating with a range of sounds, including yaps, howls, barks, whimpers, and even eerie screams. Here is a sample of one of their calls.
Found from southern Canada to northern Venezuela, Gray Foxes prefer secluded habitats over urban areas, making them elusive.
As adaptable foragers, Gray Foxes consume nearly anything—from small mammals, like cottontail rabbits, to fruits, vegetables, insects, and carrion.
After a 52-day gestation, gray foxes give birth to 3–7 kits in the spring. Fathers help feed the family, which stays together until fall, though adults are typically solitary during the winter.