RALEIGH — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reminds residents that fox sightings during daylight hours are possible and normal.

Foxes commonly live in suburban and urban areas and can be active both during the day and at night. People who encounter foxes do not typically need to take any action, but they should exercise caution to prevent unwanted interactions.

“Simply seeing a fox should not be any cause for concern,” said Jessie Birckhead, the Commission’s extension biologist. “Sightings can be more common in the summer months while people are enjoying the outdoors. It’s during this time that foxes can be seen foraging for food and raising their young.”

Fox attacks on humans and domesticated animals are rare. Foxes can carry rabies, a fatal disease transmitted from animals to humans by bites, or by contact of rabies-infected blood or saliva with an open wound. Rabid foxes might exhibit signs, such as aggression, disorientation, stumbling and excessive salivation. If you believe you have encountered a rabid animal, call Beaufort County Animal Control.

The Commission offers several suggestions for residents to avoid unwanted interactions with foxes:

• Don’t feed foxes. They can lose their fear of people, which can lead to aggressive behavior. Clean up pet food, secure trash in animal-proof containers, clean barbecue grills, clear fallen fruit from around trees and remove bird feeders.
• Establish protective barriers to keep foxes from entering basements, crawl spaces, attics and beneath decks, where they might create dens.
• Avoid den areas. Foxes can be protective of their young, exhibiting aggressive behavior toward pets and people who come close to their den.
• Secure and supervise pets when outside or keep them indoors.

Residents with questions about wildlife in and around their homes are encouraged to call the Commission’s new N.C. Wildlife Helpline toll-free at 866-318-2401. Open Mondays through Fridays (excluding state holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the call center offers information and recommendations on wildlife problems and concerns. Visit www.ncwildlife.org/Have-A-Problem for additional information.