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We spoke to the experts at Nashville Wildlife Conservation to get some answers about the mysterious red fox — and learn how to best coexist with this adorable animal!

The idea for this article sprang about at the StyleBlueprint headquarters when one of our team members mentioned she has a family of red foxes living under her porch. Upon further discussion, we were left with some of the following questions: Why does it seem like we keep seeing red foxes? Why are more wildlife rehabilitation centers treating sick or injured foxes? What should we do if we notice foxes in our own yards? We spoke to the experts at Nashville Wildlife Conservation to get some answers!

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Despite our initial thoughts, Nashville residents are not actually seeing more red foxes. Instead, we are just seeing them more often. “Nashville is an expanding city, which means there will be more and more habitat displacement of wildlife for new construction of houses and businesses,” says Rebecca Garner, Assistant Director at Nashville Wildlife Conservation. “Because of the disruption … we are seeing more and more people having sightings or interactions with red foxes.”

While the number of red foxes in Nashville has not necessarily increased, Debbie Sykes, Director at Nashville Wildlife Conservation, adds that the number of sick red foxes has increased due to Nashville’s growth and an endemic parasite called mange. “[Foxes] can’t catch prey as easily when they’re sick and start to starve and become weak,” explains Debbie. “The stress causes them to come out at all times of the day looking for food. It may seem like there are more, but because we are removing their natural habitat, they are adapting to live with us.”

“There has been a big push in the last couple of years for [the] treatment of mange foxes,” says Rebecca Garner, Assistant Director at Nashville Wildlife Conservation. “The conversation of capturing these sick animals and getting them help has encouraged the conversation of red foxes in the Nashville area.”

Both Debbie and Rebecca agree that red foxes thrive in urban areas, but we can also run into them in suburban or rural regions. As long as the fox has a place to den and a food source, it will likely flourish in the area. Debbie adds that it’s not unusual to see foxes hanging around in our yards, especially if you own a dog. “Humans, especially with dogs, mean less competition [for foxes]  … and if there is a good den — such as a hole under a shed or any decent shelter — a fox could live there,” she explains. “We have a good population of foxes in Bellevue, by the airport, and in East Nashville.”

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First and foremost, it’s important not to panic if you see a red fox, as they are a relatively normal species to see around town. Rebecca notes that if you don’t want to see red foxes in your yard, ensure you’re not leaving out free meals for them to munch on. These meals could include cat food left outside, unsecured trash cans, or non-predator-proof chicken coops. “Making sure that your home is the least inviting place to be is … key in making sure you don’t have uninvited guests coming around,” Rebecca adds.

Debbie also encourages taking pictures of red foxes from inside your home or at a distance. After all, who wouldn’t want to see a photo of an adorable red fox? She also encourages you to post your pictures on social media. “This destigmatizes wild animals,” says Debbie. “Many people think it’s unsafe or unusual to have a wild animal outside your home, but it is normal, and they have adapted to us. Promote how great it is to watch them!”

It’s not unusual to spot a red fox in Nashville! If you see one, snap a picture from a distance and share it with your friends on social media to help destigmatize their presence. 

Generally speaking, red foxes are not a threat and won’t cause damage to your home or property. In fact, Rebecca says we shouldn’t view foxes as a problem or burden — especially because they can help keep away pests and rodents. “Red foxes have been around for way longer than some of our communities,” she explains. “Instead of looking at it as a problem with foxes, we should be looking at how we can coexist with these animals in a way that allows them to live harmoniously with the expansion of Nashville.”

When someone doesn’t have the proper knowledge about red foxes, the animal can become dangerous. Both Debbie and Rebecca agree that you should never try to make friends with the fox (despite how adorable they may look). It’s also important not to use rodenticide in your yard. “When a rat or mouse eats the poison, they will get sick and make an easy meal for our neighborhood wildlife,” explains Debbie. “These rodent poisons will travel up the food chain and kill or make an animal sick.” Contact your local wildlife rehabilitator immediately if you notice a sick red fox in your neighborhood.

Red foxes are beneficial to have around because they are predators. “They keep populations in check to help decrease the risk of disease, eat many of the ‘pests’ like mice and rats, and are easy to coexist with,” explains Debbie Sykes, Director at Nashville Wildlife Conservation.

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Spreading awareness and talking about red foxes in Nashville is one of the most important ways we can protect these animals. “The more we talk about these wonderful animals being around, the less scary they will become, and the more accepting people will be of them,” says Rebecca. You can also follow Nashville Wildlife Conservation on Instagram and Facebook for tips and tricks on how to best coexist with Nashville’s wildlife.

See a red fox in Nashville? Be sure to tag us on Instagram!

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