A Northside San Antonio resident’s Reddit post featuring a fox curled up in a backyard tree has the neighborhood buzzing, with at least a few locals instantly jumping to one word: rabies. The photos, snapped on Feb. 25, show a fox with reddish-gray fur balled up on a branch above a yard and quickly racked up hundreds of comments on r/sanantonio. Wildlife officials eventually chimed in, and the talk has now shifted from pure curiosity to a mix of fascination and caution.
Wildlife Officials Confirm It Is A Grey Fox
A Texas Parks & Wildlife spokesperson told MySA that the animal in the photos is a grey fox, adding, "They are good climbers, so seeing a grey fox in a tree is not surprising." The agency also noted that Texas is currently in grey fox breeding season, which can ramp up their activity and make them more defensive of their territory.
Tree-Climbing Fox Is Unusual, Not Unheard Of
Grey foxes are among the few North American canids that regularly head up into the trees, and their fur often mixes grey with noticeable reddish tones, according to Wikipedia. They typically measure about the size of a large housecat, but when you suddenly spot one perched in your yard in broad daylight, they can look a lot bigger than that split-second glance suggests.
Rabies Concerns: Stay Alert, Skip The Panic
Speaking with MySA, the Texas Parks & Wildlife spokesperson said officials have recently seen "an uptick in rabid grey foxes in Bexar County," while stressing this does not mean every grey fox is carrying the virus. They pointed to key warning signs of rabies, including seizures, twitching, jaw clacking and loss of coordination. Residents were urged not to approach or feed foxes, to secure trash and bird feeders, to bring in outdoor pet dishes after feeding and to make sure pets are current on their vaccinations.
Living With Foxes Without Trouble
For most people, fox encounters end up being nothing more than a good story to tell, as long as wildlife is given plenty of space. The safest move is to watch from a distance, let the animal finish its business and leave on its own. If a fox starts acting aggressive or seems confused or unsteady, officials say to report it to local animal control or Texas Parks & Wildlife and keep children and small pets indoors until it moves on. If a pet is bitten, get veterinary care right away and notify public health authorities so any possible rabies exposure can be evaluated.
