Hi friends! Reef the fox here with your weekly “Reef’s Report.” Last week, my mom, Nicole Navarro, received a strange call. It’s not the first call of this type she’s received either.
Apparently there have been some gray fox sightings in North Key Largo over the past few months. Now, I’m sure you are asking yourself, “We have wild foxes in Key Largo?” The answer would be, “Historically, no, we do not.” But gray foxes have inhabited much of South Florida for a long time. They can be found throughout the entire state and typically live in dense, wooded areas.
Per the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the gray fox is nocturnal and, while seldom recognized, it has a yapping bark. It sometimes is referred to as the tree fox — it is one of the few members of the dog family capable of climbing trees. To climb, they use their front legs to hug tree trunks while pushing up with their hind legs. To get back down, gray foxes will either move backwards down vertical tree trunks or run head-first down more slanted trees.
Mating takes place in January, February or March. An average of three to five young (pups) are born after a gestation period of about 63 days. They nurse for about two months and stay with their parents until late summer or fall. Both the male and female provide food, care and training to the youngsters. The den site may be hollow logs, gopher holes or hollow trees.
So why might people be seeing them in the Upper Keys? Well, with habitat loss, construction of once wooded areas and the invasive python problem, all sorts of native species are having to vacate their once safe home. So sadly, it would not be totally surprising if someone had actually spotted a gray fox here.
When you think you see one, unless the animal is injured or physically looks distressed, do not approach it. If you feel threatened by it, you need to call the FWC. These gray foxes have a strong fear of humans and do their best to not be seen. Although gray foxes are nocturnal, they can be out and about at any time of the day, so seeing one in the daytime does not mean it has rabies. Keep in mind these animals are just trying to survive like everyone else.
Just for the record, my mom is not a state licensed wildlife rehabber, so she cannot trap, relocate or care for sick or injured wildlife. There are plenty of qualified facilities in the Keys and on the mainland that can help should you ever need it.
Anywho, that’s all for this week. Keep up with all things fox by visiting our website at pawsitivebeginnings.org and from there you can find links to all of our popular social media accounts.
Until next time, Reef, over and out!
