Types of Fox in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to two fox species: the red fox and the gray fox. Red foxes favor open fields and edges, while gray foxes stick to woodlands. Both are active year-round, but your best window for sightings is dawn and dusk. Start your search in rural edges or state parks.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 6, 2026.
Tennessee has one established type of fox: the Red Fox. Below are the related species here that people most often mistake for it.
- 1
- species recorded
- May, April, June
- peak months
The wider family, source iNaturalist
Other the dog family in Tennessee
Only one kind of fox lives in Tennessee, so the useful question is which related animals share the state. 3 other members of the dog family have a verified record here, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The ones you are most likely to see, or mix up with a fox, are Coyote, Red Fox and Gray Fox. They are listed below, ranked by how often each is recorded.
Records from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
490 verified observations on iNaturalist of fox have been recorded in Tennessee, most often in May, April, June.
When fox are recorded in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to two fox species: the red fox and the gray fox. Red foxes favor open fields and edges, while gray foxes stick to woodlands. Both are active year-round, but your best window for sightings is dawn and dusk. Start your search in rural edges or state parks.
1. What are the types of foxes found in Tennessee?
Tennessee hosts two native fox species: the red fox (*Vulpes vulpes*) and the gray fox (*Urocyon cinereoargenteus*). Gray foxes are more common across the state, especially in forested areas. Red foxes are also widespread but tend to prefer more open habitats like farmland and grasslands. A third species, the swift fox, does not occur here.
See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
2. How can you tell a red fox from a gray fox in Tennessee?
Color is the first clue: red foxes have reddish-orange fur with a white tail tip, while gray foxes have salt-and-pepper gray backs and a black-tipped tail. Red foxes have black legs and ears; gray foxes have shorter legs and a coarser coat. Gray foxes also have a distinctive black stripe along their tail. Behavior helps too - gray foxes climb trees, red foxes rarely do.
See ourFoxes guidefor the next step.
3. Where are you most likely to see foxes in Tennessee?
Your best odds are along the edges of woodlands, near farmland, and in suburban areas where food is easy. The Cumberland Plateau and the Highland Rim are reliable spots. State parks likeRadnor LakeandFrozen Headhave regular fox activity. Gray foxes stick to denser woods, red foxes to open fields.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What is the best time of year to spot foxes in Tennessee?
Foxes are active year-round, but winter offers the best chance because leaves are down and animals are more visible against snow or bare ground. Late winter (January-February) is mating season, so you may hear their barks or screams at night. Early morning and dusk are prime times any season.
5. What signs should you look for besides seeing the animal?
Tracks: fox prints have four toes and an oval pad, similar to a small dog but narrower. Scat is often pointed and contains fur or berries. Gray fox scat is smaller than red fox. Look for dens in hollow logs, rock piles, or under brush piles. Foxes also leave scent marks on rocks and logs.
6. How do fox populations differ between East and West Tennessee?
Both species occur statewide, but gray foxes dominate in the heavily forested east, while red foxes are more numerous in the agricultural west. The Mississippi River floodplain in West Tennessee has good red fox habitat. In Middle Tennessee, both species overlap, with gray foxes holding their own in suburban woodlots.
7. Are foxes often confused with other Tennessee wildlife?
Coyotes are the most common lookalike for red foxes, but coyotes are larger (40-50 lbs vs 10-15 lbs) with a broader snout and typically grayish brown. Gray foxes are sometimes mistaken for house cats, especially when seen climbing. Bobcats are bigger, have a short tail, and more distinct spots.
8. What fox-related gear can help you enjoy your sightings?
This soft graphic tee features a moonlit fox scene. Great for wearing on your next hike. Artistic, lightweight cotton tee that works for casual wear or field trips. You can browse more styles at our t-shirts section.
Vintage Fox Moon Graphic T-Shirt
A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability
Hand-Drawn Fox and Butterfly T-Shirt
A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability
Adorable Animal Magnet SVG Bundle Safari
A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability
Artsy Animals Sticker Sheet, Cute Stickers, Animal Sticker Art, Kawaii Stationery, Glitter, Toploader, Deco Stickers, Colorful Art, Painting
A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability
See ourCompare wildlife shirtsfor the next step.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the types of foxes found in Tennessee?+
Tennessee hosts two native fox species: the red fox (*Vulpes vulpes*) and the gray fox (*Urocyon cinereoargenteus*). Gray foxes are more common across the state, especially in forested areas. Red foxes are also widespread but tend to prefer more open habitats like farmland and grasslands. A third species, the swift fox, does not occur here. See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
2. How can you tell a red fox from a gray fox in Tennessee?+
Color is the first clue: red foxes have reddish-orange fur with a white tail tip, while gray foxes have salt-and-pepper gray backs and a black-tipped tail. Red foxes have black legs and ears; gray foxes have shorter legs and a coarser coat. Gray foxes also have a distinctive black stripe along their tail. Behavior helps too - gray foxes climb trees, red foxes rarely do. See ourFoxes guidefor the next step.
3. Where are you most likely to see foxes in Tennessee?+
Your best odds are along the edges of woodlands, near farmland, and in suburban areas where food is easy. The Cumberland Plateau and the Highland Rim are reliable spots. State parks likeRadnor LakeandFrozen Headhave regular fox activity. Gray foxes stick to denser woods, red foxes to open fields. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. What is the best time of year to spot foxes in Tennessee?+
Foxes are active year-round, but winter offers the best chance because leaves are down and animals are more visible against snow or bare ground. Late winter (January-February) is mating season, so you may hear their barks or screams at night. Early morning and dusk are prime times any season.
5. What signs should you look for besides seeing the animal?+
Tracks: fox prints have four toes and an oval pad, similar to a small dog but narrower. Scat is often pointed and contains fur or berries. Gray fox scat is smaller than red fox. Look for dens in hollow logs, rock piles, or under brush piles. Foxes also leave scent marks on rocks and logs.
6. How do fox populations differ between East and West Tennessee?+
Both species occur statewide, but gray foxes dominate in the heavily forested east, while red foxes are more numerous in the agricultural west. The Mississippi River floodplain in West Tennessee has good red fox habitat. In Middle Tennessee, both species overlap, with gray foxes holding their own in suburban woodlots.
7. Are foxes often confused with other Tennessee wildlife?+
Coyotes are the most common lookalike for red foxes, but coyotes are larger (40-50 lbs vs 10-15 lbs) with a broader snout and typically grayish brown. Gray foxes are sometimes mistaken for house cats, especially when seen climbing. Bobcats are bigger, have a short tail, and more distinct spots.
8. What fox-related gear can help you enjoy your sightings?+
This soft graphic tee features a moonlit fox scene. Great for wearing on your next hike. Artistic, lightweight cotton tee that works for casual wear or field trips. You can browse more styles at our t-shirts section. ### Vintage Fox Moon Graphic T-Shirt A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability ### Hand-Drawn Fox and Butterfly T-Shirt A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability ### Adorable Animal Magnet SVG Bundle Safari A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability ### Artsy Animals Sticker Sheet, Cute Stickers, Animal Sticker Art, Kawaii Stationery, Glitter, Toploader, Deco Stickers, Colorful Art, Painting A simple field-friendly pick to remember the outing.Check Price and Availability See ourCompare wildlife shirtsfor the next step. See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Keep exploring
More places to see fox
More wildlife in Tennessee