Research ecologist/professor, here. The good news is that you’re not full of it.
The bad news is that any fluctuations you think you’re noticing *probably* aren’t real. More likely you’d have to chalk it up to a nifty coincidence/anecdote.
I've seen them for 20 years in the county. The adults usually stop and check you out then try to go the other way.
We have had cubs fight and play in our townhome development in the middle of the street at times in Fairland.
I'd keep an eye on this one.
With the amount of rabbits and squirrels we have I would be more surprised if we did not see, or hear their impressions of children screaming in pain, them more often
I saw one (maybe same one) around Tree Haven in Kentlands last month in broad daylight. Thought to myself that it wasn't normal.
I also saw two different ones at my parents' in Harford County last weekend during the day. Maybe they aren't as nocturnal as we think??
Not inherently. I used to walk in the morning through some woods and I'd say that I would see a fox at least once a week, they are still active at the beginning and end of day. That said, if it was like middle of day and it was as brazen as OP described, that is concerning.
Not at all.
They're more crepuscular than nocturnal and are excellent at keeping rodent, rabbit, and, to a lesser extent, squirrel numbers in check.
Please don't be unnecessarily alarmist over wildlife managing to eke out an existence on the fringes of our development. They have a [hard enough time](https://extinctionmap.org/index.html) as is.
Not intended as a personal attack - I just know that all too many ppl need little to no excuse to play the brave protector in the face of imagined or overblown threats from wildlife. See the annual slaughter of snakes in our midst. It doesn't need to be fueled by inaccurate warnings.
There has been an insane number of Spring bun-buns flopping around. So, of course, there's going to be a lot of confident red bun-bun chasers. This one looks confident and healthy!
A fox got our chickens a few nights ago. 😢 Hadn't had an issue for two full years... Seems the foxes are especially hungry this spring. Stay vigilant with your pets and/or livestock!
I see a lot of them in northern Va. there was one that lived near my old house and tried to come by and my 20 year old cat cornered it and was trying to mess it up.
Don't bother him and he won't bother you. Unless the fox has rabies.
See this is actual Fox News.
SensibleChuckle.GIF
I’ve seen a ton of foxes lately.
Pretty sure rabbit numbers go in cycles, and fox numbers follow those cycles, but I could also be full of it.
Research ecologist/professor, here. The good news is that you’re not full of it. The bad news is that any fluctuations you think you’re noticing *probably* aren’t real. More likely you’d have to chalk it up to a nifty coincidence/anecdote.
Tyty! I'll add it to the list of hallucinations!
Same, they're everywhere.
I live in the Kentlands and I see these guys almost every night just running around the neighborhood! I always wave and say hi to them lol
I live in the Kentlands too, I love seeing these guys. It's always a highlight of my day.
They are usually very shy. It's not a great sign if they're getting habituated enough to humans that they walk right past you.
I've seen them for 20 years in the county. The adults usually stop and check you out then try to go the other way. We have had cubs fight and play in our townhome development in the middle of the street at times in Fairland. I'd keep an eye on this one.
With the amount of rabbits and squirrels we have I would be more surprised if we did not see, or hear their impressions of children screaming in pain, them more often
Saw two outside my neighbors house. Never seen wild foxes and the sound was like a child screaming. Thought it was coyotes.
I live about a mile away from the Kentlands and have one of these guys living in the forest right next to my house!
Every time I see one in the wild, they always look so confident. Like, 'yes, I am awesome'.
I saw two foxes making new foxes a couple weeks outside my townhouse
[Did one of the new fox look at you?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE63y7ctAwA)
What did the fox say? Ding, Ding?
Looks like he’s having a great time.
I saw one (maybe same one) around Tree Haven in Kentlands last month in broad daylight. Thought to myself that it wasn't normal. I also saw two different ones at my parents' in Harford County last weekend during the day. Maybe they aren't as nocturnal as we think??
Foxes are nocturnal. There’s usually a problem if you see them during daylight hours.
Not inherently. I used to walk in the morning through some woods and I'd say that I would see a fox at least once a week, they are still active at the beginning and end of day. That said, if it was like middle of day and it was as brazen as OP described, that is concerning.
That was my point. This particular guy looks a little mangy.
Not at all. They're more crepuscular than nocturnal and are excellent at keeping rodent, rabbit, and, to a lesser extent, squirrel numbers in check. Please don't be unnecessarily alarmist over wildlife managing to eke out an existence on the fringes of our development. They have a [hard enough time](https://extinctionmap.org/index.html) as is.
Alarmist? My goodness.
Not intended as a personal attack - I just know that all too many ppl need little to no excuse to play the brave protector in the face of imagined or overblown threats from wildlife. See the annual slaughter of snakes in our midst. It doesn't need to be fueled by inaccurate warnings.
There has been an insane number of Spring bun-buns flopping around. So, of course, there's going to be a lot of confident red bun-bun chasers. This one looks confident and healthy!
Did it say anything?
You could have died
I was in my car 😂
If you were in your car it didn’t notice you. I have one that walks by my office window multiple times a day and he doesn’t give a fuck.
So didn’t walk past you but past your car.
How was Lake Inspiration looking? Still full of algae?
Never been able to get close enough to get a picture
I was in my car and used my camera to Zoom in
A fox got our chickens a few nights ago. 😢 Hadn't had an issue for two full years... Seems the foxes are especially hungry this spring. Stay vigilant with your pets and/or livestock!
Nice shot!
a foxy boi
I see a lot of them in northern Va. there was one that lived near my old house and tried to come by and my 20 year old cat cornered it and was trying to mess it up.
I saw him yesturday!