Could we have seen a red fox?

[Lynn Farris]

Don and I on the way home from work swore we could have seen a red fox. Is this possible? Has anyone else seen a fox in Lakewood?

[Phil Florian]

Not in Lakewood but I see one in Westlake every once and a while when I visit my mother out there. Not unusual since there isn't a lot of forest in that city for them to hide in.

[Ellen Malonis]

Hi, Lynn,

Yes, I do believe it is possible - our "sudurban wildlife"! This is from the Ohio Division of Wildlife:

"The red fox likely arrived in Ohio in the mid- 1700s. Prior to that time, its range extended to just north of Ohio. But as Ohio was settled and forests were opened and farmlands established the red fox began to inhabit the state. The red fox prefers a mixture of forest and open country. Farmland with woodlots and brushy areas near marshes and swamps are ideal for this species. But the red fox isn't limited to residence and activity in such areas. The species is adaptable and can be found in many other habitat types, including the suburbs."

Here is a pdf file if you're interested: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/PDF/pub091.pdf

[Kenneth Warren]

I've seen red fox in Lakewood Park, along the old gravel path. One would actually watch me meditate.

About seven years ago I met a guy in the park who would take meat to a den of fox amidst the rocks.

Two or three years ago a fox was hit by a car one Saturday morning on Lake in front of Saint Augustine. I remember this because one man who would frequent the old gravel path had brought his daughter and son down to see the fox and sadly conveyed the fact of the dead one on Lake Avenue.

The fox took care the the overpopulation of rabbits in the park a few years back.

The fox come up through the valley, I believe.

Kenneth Warren

[Lynn Farris]

It crossed Lake Ave. and it disappeared behind the house which is on the Lake. Thanks for the link Ellen.