There are two species of fox in Michigan, the Red and the Gray. The Red prefer meadow areas and the Gray favor woods.
The fox's diet consists mainly of small rodents, moles and bugs. The benefits that foxes afford farmland, orchards, and the general public is their consumption of these invasive pests. It is an absolute misconception that a fox would eat a cat or dog, or intentionally harm small children. They are very curious, but avoid contact with domestic animals and humans.
As with most wildlife, the kits are born in early spring. The vixen (female fox) chooses a hollow log, an empty woodchuck hole or a roadside culvert for the nursery. This nest site provides her young protection from predators, especially coyotes. The male fox helps with the rearing by bringing the vixen food while she nurses their young and keeps the kits warm. Later in the kits' development, both parents teach them how to forage for food.
When fox kits are first born, their eyes and ears are closed, they remain secluded in their den with their mother. As they develop, at about one month, they start venturing out to play, attacking twigs, leaves and their siblings, but never far from the protection of the den.
If you do find an infant fox, please contact a wildlife rehabilitator who is licensed to rehab foxes.
