10 Things You Didn’t Know About Foxes In Illinois

A radio station parking lot at 4:00 in the morning is usually very quiet with little to no activity going on (unless you count morning radio hosts staggering in, spilling copious amounts of coffee as they do).

I say usually, because yesterday morning I happened to glance out the window of the break room to see this beautiful specimen sitting out there behind a parked car, and managed to get two shots before it disappeared:

They've Got A Den, Also Known As An "Earth" Somewhere Nearby, So We Often Catch Glimpses Of Them Very Early In The Morning

I figure that if we want to be good neighbors to these foxes, it wouldn't hurt to get to know a bit about them. So, I did a bunch of digging, and came up with a top ten list of things that you may not have know about the fox population in Illinois.

1. Illinois has two native fox species
The red fox and the gray fox both live in Illinois. Red foxes are more commonly seen, especially in open areas and even in the suburbs.

2. Gray foxes can climb trees
Unlike most canines, gray foxes are excellent climbers. They use trees to escape predators or rest safely off the ground.

3. Foxes adapt well to people
Seeing one in a parking lot might feel unusual, but foxes are incredibly adaptable and often live near humans without being noticed.

4. They’re mostly harmless to humans
Foxes are generally shy and avoid people. Healthy foxes rarely pose any threat.

5. They help control pests
Foxes eat rodents, rabbits, and insects, making them beneficial for keeping pest populations in check.

6. They’re active year-round
Foxes don’t hibernate. In fact, winter is often when they’re easiest to spot against the snow.

7. Mating season is in winter
Foxes typically mate in January or February, with pups born in early spring.

8. They have incredible hearing
Foxes can hear small animals moving underground and will pounce with surprising accuracy.

9. Not all foxes are red
Even red foxes can appear in different color variations, including silver and cross phases.

10. Daytime sightings aren’t always a bad sign
While foxes are often nocturnal, it’s not unusual to see them during the day, especially in spring when they’re hunting for food.

Spotting a fox in Illinois is a reminder that nature is never too far away, even in a radio station's parking lot. And if the animal looks healthy, alert, and unbothered, it’s usually just going about its day, the same as the rest of us.