Gray Fox Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Carnivore scat is tubular, often twisted and tapered at one end, and full of hair, bone fragments, berries or seeds depending on the season. Dog-family tracks show four toes with claw marks and an X drawn between the pads; cat-family tracks show four toes with no claws and a three-lobed heel pad. Many carnivores leave scat on trails, rocks and junctions on purpose, so where it sits is a clue in itself. The measurements below for Gray Fox are quoted from the wildlife agencies linked at the bottom of the page.

• Shape: Similar to Red Fox scat, resembling the droppings of a small dog
• Contents/color: Appearance depends on diet; may contain bone, hair, feathers, or seeds

• Front: The front footprint is slightly larger than the hind, 1.3-2.1 inches long and 1.1-1.5 inches wide
• Hind: About 1.75 inches long, 4 toes
• Toes: 4 toes on both front and hind feet
• Gait: Stride length 9-16 inches at a trot

• Climbing trees: Gray Foxes are skilled climbers and often climb trees when startled or hunting
• Daytime hiding spot: Mostly active at night; during the day it typically rests in a den, dense brush, or a hollow tree/log

Tracks are difficult to distinguish, but Gray Fox tracks are slightly smaller The Red Fox page has its own sign list.

Cat tracks rarely show claw marks, while Gray Fox/Coyote pup tracks often do The Coyote page has its own sign list.

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.