Creature Feature: Gray Fox, America’s Climbing Canid

Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) are the smaller cousin of the much more well know red fox (Vulpes vulpes). While rarely seen, the gray fox is still listed as a furbearing mammal in the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Populations are scattered throughout the state, primarily in southern Illinois and along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

Gray fox are easily identified by their grizzled gray color along their back and sides and black-tipped tail. Gray fox are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet changes with the seasons and local availability of food, which can consist of rabbits, rodents, insects, berries, nuts, carrion and birds.

Gray fox are primarily forest dwellers, but they prefer forest habitat interspersed with tracts of open areas as opposed to large tracts of unbroken forest. This variation in habitat provides greater variation in food sources. Forested habitat also allows them to take advantage of a unique adaptation, the ability to climb trees. Their front paws can rotate more like a cat’s paws than a dog’s. Climbing allows them to escape from predators and take advantage of many food sources that would otherwise be unavailable, such as squirrels and bird eggs.

Reliance on forest habitats, an increase in competitors and predators, and various diseases (rabies and canine distemper) have been major factors that have led to a decrease in gray fox numbers (OutdoorIllinois 2007) and their status as a Species in Greatest Need of Conservation in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan. With increasing urbanization in many areas of Illinois and larger tracts of open farmland, fewer tracts of suitable forested habitat are available. Gray fox will utilize habitats in close proximity to human development, but only when no better alternatives are available. Further, the success of coyotes, bobcats and raccoons in Illinois, which may compete with or kill gray fox, are likely contributing to their decline in the state.

Hunters and trappers will continue to play a key role in helping conserve gray foxes across Illinois. Maintaining harvest of coyotes, bobcats and raccoons could decrease the extent of competition and predation risk that gray fox face in some situations. But this will be a tall order since harvest of these species is dependent on increasing public understanding and participation in sustainable fur harvest and use. Additionally, by working to increase the quantity and quality of forest, the gray fox will be provided with greater habitat that will allow this unique species to be enjoyed by future generations. For more information on gray fox, check out the new Wildlife Illinois website.

Gray fox is listed as a furbearing animal in the state of Illinois. The 2017-2018 Illinois fur harvest survey has a total of 10 gray fox pelts being sold. Consult with the annual Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for the season dates and legal methods of harvesting a gray fox.

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Ben Funk is a Hunter Heritage/District Wildlife Biologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and is stationed at Horseshoe Lake State Park in Granite City.