Baby foxes in your backyard? It's that season in Austin. Here's what to do if you see them

Has Austin seemed extra foxy lately?

Many local residents have noticed furry, four-legged friends getting cozy in their yards. Austin Wildlife expert Jules Moran said it is completely natural for this time of year as baby foxes who were born in the spring start to get more curious. She advised residents to keep their distance, as one would with any wild animal.

Why are we seeing more foxes around Austin right now?

Many foxes will have their babies in trees or in dens under residential decks in the spring. Moran said foxes are similar to cats. As the babies grow up, they become curious about the world around them and start to follow their moms outside the den. This is especially true with gray foxes, the most common fox species in the Austin area.

“So, just like kittens would, they want to start poking around and looking at their environment,” Moran said. “Mom is actually bringing them a lot of food right now too, and teaching them how to hunt. So I'd say, if you have foxes in your yard, you're very lucky because you're probably not going to have any rodent issues going on. They are very adept hunters.”

What should you do if you see a baby fox?

Moran, who is executive director of Austin Wildlife Rescue and a certified wildlife rehabilitator, said that if Austin residents spot baby foxes, they should give the animals some space.

“You don't want to try to approach (the foxes) aggressively,” Moran said. “Because obviously, the mother is going to be there and be very protective of her babies, as any wild animal would. So if you see them, I'd say just try to give them some space and know that they're not going to be staying there in that area.”

In about four to five weeks, when the babies are older and know how to hunt, Moran said they will move on to another place with their mother.

Moran said unless the foxes are orphaned or injured, residents shouldn’t worry about having them around.

“If somebody just finds a baby, we usually ask them to leave it where it is, and see if mom comes back for it,” Moran said. “That's usually going to be the thing that we want to try first."

Austin Wildlife Rescue will take in animals if the mother has not returned, if a dead mother was found nearby, or if the babies are very skinny and in poor shape.

If the babies seem healthy and accompanied, Moran said not to worry.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Baby foxes in your backyard? It's that season in Austin. Here's what to do if you see them