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Gray Fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Mammal · family Canidae · order Carnivora

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Gray Fox
Photo: VJAnderson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
45 states[3]
Longest recorded life
16.2 years[4]

The Gray Fox is a mammal in the dog family, Canidae[5]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure worldwide, and it is native in 45 US states and territories[2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Gray Fox a global rank of G5[2]. Its United States rank is N5[6]. Both mean Secure. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The species is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern

Where Gray Fox lives

NatureServe lists the Gray Fox as native in 45 US states and territories, including Florida, Texas, California, New York and the District of Columbia[3]. State conservation ranks vary a lot from state to state, and North Dakota has the most cautious rank in the list[8]. A state list shows where NatureServe records the species, not where you are sure to see one[3].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank S4WIVermont: native, state rank S5VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S4NHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: native, state rank S1NDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: native, state rank S5ILMichigan: native, state rank S4MINew York: native, state rank S5NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S5MAOregon: native, state rank S4ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: native, state rank S5SDIowa: native, state rank S3IAIndiana: native, state rank S3INOhio: native, state rank SNROHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5PANew Jersey: native, state rank S5NJConnecticut: native, state rank S5CTRhode Island: native, state rank S5RICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S3UTColorado: native, state rank S4CONebraska: native, state rank S4NEMissouri: native, state rank S4MOKentucky: native, state rank S4KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S5WVVirginia: native, state rank S5VAMaryland: native, state rank S5MDDelaware: native, state rank S5DEArizona: native, state rank S5AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5NMKansas: native, state rank S3KSArkansas: native, state rank S5ARTennessee: native, state rank S5TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: native, state rank S3DCOklahoma: native, state rank S3OKLouisiana: native, state rank S4LAMississippi: native, state rank S5MSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank SNRFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[8].
Show state ranks (45 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
ArizonaS5Secure
ArkansasS5Secure
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS4Apparently Secure
ConnecticutS5Secure
DelawareS5Secure
District of ColumbiaS3Vulnerable
FloridaSNRNot Ranked
GeorgiaS5Secure
IllinoisS5Secure
IndianaS3Vulnerable
IowaS3Vulnerable
KansasS3Vulnerable
KentuckyS4Apparently Secure
LouisianaS4Apparently Secure
MaineS5Secure
MarylandS5Secure
MassachusettsS5Secure
MichiganS4Apparently Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MississippiS5Secure
MissouriS4Apparently Secure
NebraskaS4Apparently Secure
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireS4Apparently Secure
New JerseyS5Secure
New MexicoS5Secure
New YorkS5Secure
North CarolinaS5Secure
North DakotaS1Critically Imperiled
OhioSNRNot Ranked
OklahomaS3Vulnerable
OregonS4Apparently Secure
PennsylvaniaS5Secure
Rhode IslandS5Secure
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaS5Secure
TennesseeS5Secure
TexasS5Secure
UtahS3Vulnerable
VermontS5Secure
VirginiaS5Secure
West VirginiaS5Secure
WisconsinS4Apparently Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records the Gray Fox in many habitats, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, shrubland, grassland, desert, farm hedgerows, suburban orchards and wetlands near water[9]. It is often found in rough, broken country with woods and shrubs, and it usually avoids open areas[10]. It may climb a tree to get away from trouble[10]. It dens in rock clefts, small caves, hollow trees or logs, or piles of debris[10].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[9]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Gray Fox is an omnivore, so it eats both animals and plants[11]. In winter it often relies on rabbits and other small mammals, and in summer on insects and fruit[11]. One estimate puts its diet at 30% other vertebrates, 20% seeds, 20% other plant material, 20% fruit and 10% invertebrates[12]. NatureServe gives a typical length of 113 cm (44 in)[13]. It gives a typical adult weight of 13 lb[14]. Litters average 3 to 5 young, and the young are weaned in 8 to 10 weeks[15].

Trait Value
Typical length[13] 113 cm (44 in)
Typical adult weight[14] 5.9 kg (13 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 16.2 years (captivity)
Litter or clutch size[16] 4
Gestation or incubation[17] 57 days
Female maturity[18] 345 days (about 0.9 years)
Food habits[19] Carnivore, Invertivore, Herbivore, Frugivore
Active[20] nocturnal, crepuscular
Migration[21] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[12]

  • 30% other vertebrates
  • 20% seeds
  • 20% other plant material
  • 20% fruit
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

The Gray Fox is mostly active at dusk and dawn and at night, which NatureServe calls crepuscular and nocturnal, but it is often seen in daytime too[22][23]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, although populations can differ[21]. It breeds mainly in winter, and young are born in March and April, or in April and May in the south-central US[15]. On GBIF, most United States records fall in January, October and November, but records only reflect when people look and report[24].

January: 2,962 recordsJanFebruary: 2,512 recordsFebMarch: 2,179 recordsMarApril: 2,202 recordsAprMay: 2,333 recordsMayJune: 2,440 recordsJunJuly: 2,420 recordsJulAugust: 2,117 recordsAugSeptember: 2,526 recordsSepOctober: 2,800 recordsOctNovember: 2,703 recordsNovDecember: 2,461 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January2,962
February2,512
March2,179
April2,202
May2,333
June2,440
July2,420
August2,117
September2,526
October2,800
November2,703
December2,461

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Gray Fox as present in 141 park units[25]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 117 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, New York[26]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Safety around this animal

These tips are quoted in summary from official agencies. We add no advice of our own. Follow local rules and the agency pages linked below.

From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • In the United States, the animals most often found with rabies are bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.
  • Rabies spreads mainly through bites and scratches. It is fatal once symptoms start but preventable with prompt care.
  • Contact with bats is the leading cause of human rabies deaths in the United States.
  • After a bite or scratch, wash it right away with soap and water and get medical care urgently. Keep wildlife wild by staying away.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[27]

Questions people ask

Is the Gray Fox endangered?
It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure[2].
Where does the Gray Fox live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 45 US states and territories, including Florida, Texas, California, New York and the District of Columbia[3].
What does the Gray Fox eat?
It is an omnivore[11]. It often eats rabbits and other small mammals in winter, and insects and fruit in summer[11].
How big is a Gray Fox?
NatureServe records a typical length of 113 cm (44 in)[13]. It records a typical adult weight of 13 lb[14].

Facts and sources

  1. Gray Fox is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Gray Fox: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Gray Fox as native in 45 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts,... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 16.2 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is a mammal in the family Canidae, order Carnivora. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe state ranks for Gray Fox (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  9. Habitat types NatureServe records for Gray Fox: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert, Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Forested... NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on habitat for Gray Fox. NatureServe Explorer
  11. NatureServe notes on food for Gray Fox. NatureServe Explorer
  12. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 30% other vertebrates, 20% seeds, 20% other plant material, 20% fruit, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  13. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 113 cm (44 in). NatureServe Explorer
  14. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 5.9 kg (13 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Gray Fox. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 4. AnAge
  17. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 57 days. AnAge
  18. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 345 days (about 0.9 years). AnAge
  19. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore, Herbivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  20. Activity time in EltonTraits 1.0: nocturnal, crepuscular. EltonTraits 1.0
  21. NatureServe migration category for Gray Fox: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  22. NatureServe notes on phenology for Gray Fox. NatureServe Explorer
  23. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of Gray Fox in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  25. NPSpecies park lists recording Gray Fox as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  26. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Gray Fox: California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, New York. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  27. Safety guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: VJAnderson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.