Watch A Fox Bring Dinner To This Westford Home

WESTFORD, MA — A Westford resident found their home was visited by a neighborhood fox with dinner, as seen on a video on the Neighbors app this weekend. Watch as this red fox carries a meal in its mouth, possibly a rabbit, up the driveway. Although the animal appears to be a wild rabbit, the video is a reminder that foxes can be a danger to small pets.

There are two common types of foxes in Massachusetts: The red fox, which shows up here in the Westford driveway, is the most widespread carnivore species ranging across the entire Northern Hemisphere. Adults typically weigh as much as 15 pounds. They have a reddish coat and black “leg-stockings” and have a white tipped tail. Similar to cats, red foxes have vertical pupils which help to enhance night vision for hunting.

Then there’s the gray fox is often confused with the red fox because of the rusty-red fur on its ears, ruff and neck. But, per its name, its overall coloration is gray, with the darkest color extending in a stripe along the top of the back down to the end of the tail. The belly, throat, and chest are whitish. And one special trick the gray fox can do? It can climb trees.

MassWildLife offers a few tips for homeowners to coexist with foxes:

• Don't feed or pet foxes

Feeding, whether direct or indirect, can cause foxes to act tame and over time, may lead to bold behavior. Foxes that rely on natural food items remain wild and wary of humans. Secure your garbage in tough plastic containers with tight-fitting lids and keep in secure buildings when possible. Take out trash the morning pick up is scheduled, not the previous night. Keep compost in secure, vented containers.

• Close off crawl spaces

Foxes will use areas under porches and sheds for resting and raising young. Close these areas off to prevent animals from using them.

• Keep bird feeder areas clean

Use feeders designed to keep seed off the ground, as the seed attracts many small mammals foxes prey upon. Remove feeders if foxes are regularly seen around your yard.

• Don't let foxes intimidate you

Don’t hesitate to scare or threaten foxes with loud noises, bright lights, or water sprayed from a hose.

• Cut back brushy edges

These areas provide prime cover for foxes and their prey.

• Protect livestock

Keep livestock such as rabbits and chickens in secure enclosures that prevent entry from above and below.

• Pet owners

Although free roaming pets are more likely to be killed by automobiles than by wild animals, foxes can view cats as potential food. For the safety of your pets, keep them leashed at all times. It's also a good idea to feed your pets inside. Outdoor feeding can attract many wild animals.

Ring, the owner of the Neighbors app, is a Patch advertiser. Patch received no compensation for this article.