Tracking: Red Foxes

The prince of the forest could go completely unnoticed had it not been for the blessing of tracks and scent. Red Foxes have a distinct scent, resembling that of a skunk’s spray but it only lingers in the air as “ribbons” of scent rather “clouds” like that of a skunk’s spray. They are one of the most “mark-happy” of mammals as they spend much of their travels marking boundaries and favorite spots sending out beacons in favor of their monogamous searches. So much so, their furry paw pads include scent glands to leave a trace of their musk in every step.

Leaving “ribbons” of scent stitched through the forest may be one of the only reliable signs during a dry summer, but if there is any substrate malleable enough to capture the beautiful imprint of a Red Fox’s gentle fur-lined paw print, you will find its signature ‘X’ in each step, often in a single file line of the most dainty trot.

In early spring, through July, Red Foxes’ signs will lead you to their dens that are only used for rearing their kits, or otherwise only rarely used to shelter from severe weather. They are diurnal (favoring dawn and dusk) and mostly nocturnal by nature, but often active during the day when needed due to hunting patters, or the high demand of tending to the growing kits, which are reared by both the female (vixen) and male (tod).

Dens are often unearthed and frequented in preparation for the wriggling bundles of pure fox joy in late winter (February/March). They are most often made on hillsides with a sandy composite with a water source nearby. The openings are usually 7-9″ wide and usually wider than they are high, and are cleaned out regularly when in use exposing new earth strewn by the main entrance as though it were a welcome mat. Some dens have one main opening, and some larger ones will have a second main entrance.
Red Fox scat, always pointed with fur nearly always present
Red Fox Track with signature ‘X’ pattern
The signature “single-file line” of tracks that a Red Fox leaves when delicately placing its front foot pad into the previously printed rear, making a perfectly straight line.
Imprint in the snow where the Red Fox pounced into the snow face first in attempts to capture a mouse, leaving a full face imprint.
Red Fox urine scent marking. Most often placed on raised objects, both males and females mark territory and favorite spots, hitting prime scent levels during mating season in mid winter (January-February). This particular example may be from a female based upon its dispersal being from overhead rather than from the side.

Rewilding By Means of Nature Forests, Foraging & Foxes