Go Find It!

Gray foxes are found in forests and woods throughout Missouri but are most common in the Ozarks. To learn more about these cute canines, trot over to mdc.mo.gov/field-guide.

Gray Fox

Tell by the Tail

A surefire way to tell a gray fox from a red fox is to look at its tail. The tip of a gray fox’s tail is black, while a red fox’s is white.

Tree Hugger

The gray fox is the only American member of the dog family that can climb trees. It shinnies up to rest and escape predators.

Rabbit Rouser

Eastern cottontails, rodents, and wild fruits (like persimmons) make up most of a gray fox’s menu.

Working the Night Shift

Gray foxes hunt at night. During the day, they rest on a branch high in a tree, in hollow logs, or in a brushy, secluded spot on the ground.

Fox Talk

To call to their boyfriend or girlfriend, gray foxes give a raspy, yappy bark. They also growl, squeal, and chuckle.