Found a Fox Cub? Advice for when to rescue or retreat

Ella Munro
Jan 15
5 min read

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Vulpes

Species: Vulpes vulpes

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one of the UK’s most popular mammals and are not an uncommon sight throughout both urban areas and the countryside. But what do you do if you come across a fox cub or cubs in an everyday scenario?

Firstly, some information about fox cubs/kits/pups. During the winter parent foxes start to create and defend their territories with mating season starting in January. Most people tend to report hearing foxes screaming during the winter as this is when they are most vocal. Fox cubs tend to be born within the spring months (usually a litter of four to five cubs) and even start to emerge from their den in late spring (when most cubs are found). When born the fox cubs are born, they are both blind and deaf and weigh around 100g. They are born with dark grey fur which will change to a darker brown in the first two weeks as their ears and eyes open (eyes appearing blue). The cub’s fur will start to turn red on their face and eyes will change from blue to amber at around one month old. This is also when they start to take their first steps outside of the den with muzzles starting to turn white. Between six weeks to two months their darker coats fade to red. During this time the little ones are also starting to be weaned from their mother and becoming more independent. During summer months the fox cubs will grow significantly and become independent from parents that will leave the den to start to moult. In autumn the cubs will be fully grown and ready to completely leave their family groups in order to find territories of their very own to start the cycle all over again.

If you come across a fox cub/kit/pup the first thing to remember is that it may not have been abandoned and that a parent fox might be nearby. Parent foxes are not likely to approach or go near the baby fox/foxes if there are people nearby but will usually be nearby watching. Reuniting the cub/kit/pup with their mother is the best chance of survival for the young ones within the wild.

If the young fox found is in a road or somewhere exposed (immediate danger) move them to a safer, sheltered spot nearby while trying to handle them as little as possible. If able and near a road try to check to see if there is any roadkill near the location of the cub as this could be the cub’s parent. Always remember to be aware of all traffic and remember not to put yourself or others at risk or in danger. When handling/moving the cub try to wear a pair of sturdy gloves if possible or use a thick towel/blanket as fox cubs can still give a painful, nasty bite. Be sure to keep any pets well away from the cub during this time.

If you come across and disturb a fox litter near or within a den and the mother runs away, move away from the cubs, and monitor them from a distance. Their mother should return when she feels safe and will move her cubs to another den.

If the fox cub is already within a safe, sheltered area keep your distance but watch the cub from afar (if possible) for a few hours as if the cub’s eyes are open the parents are probably nearby and should return soon. However, if the cub’s eyes are closed this means that the cub is still depended on their mother and should not be above ground, out of the den as it would be too young. If a cub with its eyes closed is found either phone the RSPCA, a local trusted vets, or a local rehabilitator for more advice on what to do. You should also call any of these first before deciding to move the cub eyes open or closed as these experts might be able to reunite the cub with its parents.

If you have been asked to take a found fox cub to a local vet or local wildlife rehabilitator, make sure to record the exact location you rescued the cub from in case they can be returned (my personal recommendation is to note down or screenshot the exact location using what3words to write on the wildlife forms at the vets or to give to the local wildlife rehabilitator). To survive fox cubs, need expert care and company of other fox cubs to be able to learn essential survival skills and techniques like how to hunt and what dangers may affect them in the wild.

It is always best if unsure to phone an expert as mentioned above but if given the advice to leave the cub and you are worried or concerned you can supply supplementary food and/or water near the cub out of harms way and check if the cub is still there in 24 hours and even 48 hours later. If the cub hasn’t moved phone one of the experts previously mentioned and explain you phoned n hours prior, but the cub is still there and listen to advice given.

If the cub seems sick or injured keep your distance and monitor from afar. Be sure not to handle the fox yourself and phone either the RSPCA, a local trusted vets, or a local wildlife rehabilitator as they will be able to give the best advice on steps moving forward or may come collect the fox themselves.

When my family and I found a fox cub we firstly kept our distance and observed the cub for over an hour. We then phoned our local out of hours vets and read as much as we could from various trusted sites including the RSPCA website for advice. After speaking to our local vets, we were told to bring to cub in as the cub found was very weak, malnourished, and dehydrated. There was also a large fox found within a road not too far away from where the cub was found having been knocked down by a vehicle and sadly had passed away and all parties were thinking that this could’ve been mum. To handle the young fox, we used a thick towel as it was on hand and made sure the cub was wrapped up and secured. We drove the fox cub to the vets where they supplied a carrier to further secure the cub and to make the cub feel safer/better protected. Using What3Words we were able to give the vets the exact location the cub was found. The vets then contacted the RSPCA who transported the cub to a wildlife rehabilitation centre across the country the next day.

Below are some images of my experience.