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Foxes

Foxes are part of the canine family.  They eat meat, insects, and even plants.  Foxes tend to be shy and nervous.  Many are active at night.

fox at night

Diet: Small mammals, fruit, nuts, grass, and insects

Habitat: Most of the United States.  Different types of foxes live in different areas.

The picture below shows a fox with rabies. The animal is paralyzed and cannot move because the virus has attacked the nervous system. You should never touch or approach a wild fox. If you see a fox acting strangely, have an adult call your local animal control officer for help.

fox with rabies

In 2001 in the United States, 437 foxes tested positive for rabies. Signs of rabies in foxes include having no fear of humans, acting aggressively, or acting listless.  It is important to know that any fox anywhere can have the disease, not just the states that found rabies in foxes in 2001. Always be careful of any fox you see behaving strangely.

US map showing distribution of rabies cases in foxes, 2001

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Viral and Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch (VRZB)
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases (DVRD)
National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Mailing address:
Rabies Section MS G-33
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404)639-1050
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies

This page last reviewed February 6, 2002

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Deparment of Health and Human Services

US Department of Health
and Human Services
 

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