If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to be woken by a fox in the night, you’ll know that the noises they make are truly bizarre. The scream of a fox can sound not just human-like, but high-pitched and almost in pain. So why on Earth do they do it?
Surprisingly, they’re not in pain or scared. In fact, often the sound that you are hearing is a mating call. Foxes have become a common sighting in both cities and more rural areas and they have become very comfortable in human populations.
Unfortunately, this means that they are happy to perform their mating calls directly outside your house, using your garden as a meet-up point. Female foxes, known as vixens, can often be heard using this call during mating season.
This occurs most often in winter months, around January and February, which is why you are more likely to hear it in the next couple of months. However, it isn’t just a mating call.
Foxes can be making this sound at each other while defending their territory, or even just vocalising between each other. Foxes are surprisingly social, playing and communicating with family. Unfortunately, their playing can sound more like a fight to the death.
While the sound can be startling, it isn’t something that you need to worry about. Most of the time foxes are simply communicating with each other.
If you do find that foxes are really becoming at home in your garden, there are ways to deter them. Remove any potential food sources and make sure all bins are closed.
Blocking any small entrances is also important, limiting their access points. If you really want to keep them away, a motion-activated sprinkler will keep them at bay.
However, if you can cope with the sound, rest easy knowing that they are mostly just having fun.
