Red Fox Spotted In Cleveland Heights, University Heights

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Residents in Cleveland Heights and University Heights have been spotting a red fox (or foxes) roaming around the neighborhood.

A red fox has been seen on Bradford Road, at the southwest corner of Fairmount Boulevard and Princeton Road, on Eaton Road, and in other spots around the two cities. The appearance of the foxes is part of a growing trend — foxes living in largely urban areas.

Red foxes fit the traditional image of a fox — rust-red fur, a white maw, a bushy tail with a white tip, and black paws and ears. Their appearance in Cuyahoga County is relatively low, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

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However, red foxes have become more regular staples in urban areas. In late 2017, the ODNR noted that through a combination of improved wildlife habitats and natural fox adaptability, red foxes were migrating more and more to suburban and urban areas.

All a red fox needs to survive is food, water, and a kind of shelter. In some cases, a backyard can meet all of those criteria. If a red fox has made a home of your backyard, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has some tips on getting rid of the animal.

"Red foxes are solitary creatures during the fall and early winter. Their range is one to two miles, but if food supplies dwindle within this area, the animals will extend their normal range to search for food," the ODNR said. "They typically eat mice, rats, rabbits, groundhogs, and other small mammals; also birds, fruits, and some grasses. These foxes do not hibernate; under extreme winter weather conditions they will reduce activity levels and take shelter for a day or two."

Red foxes are nocturnal creatures, so you're most likely to spot them hunting at night. However, it is not terribly unusual to spot the animal out and about in the daylight.