Red Fox and Rabies

Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes

The red fox is a predator found not only in North America, but parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa as well as Australia after introduction to the continent for sport. From forests to grasslands, mountains to deserts, the red fox has adapted to a variety of habitats, but the most salient adaption is in suburban and urban areas. Their primary food source consists of small mammals and birds, but their flexible omnivore diet also means dining on fruits, vegetables, human garbage, pets, and pet food. Normally a shy, nocturnal hunter, the close contact with humans and pets can often cause issues as the fox is a high risk vector species of rabies. Although the source of rabies transmission in humans is vastly due to dog bites, these non-vaccinated domestic animals often acquire the disease from urbanized wildlife vector species such raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Many places worldwide have taken preventative measures against rabies in terrestrial mammals with a combination of vaccines and oral drops. These have been widely successful with places such as Ontario and parts of Germany declaring a rabies-free environment.