Is a fox out in daytime sick?

The red fox is essentially a nocturnal animal. It may occasionally feed during the day, and it is more likely active at dawn or dusk.

Do not feed a fox. Human food is not healthy for wild animals and is not part of their natural diet.

Foxes

Understand foxes near the beach

The gray fox stands about 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs 7 to 10 pounds. The red fox stands about 16 inches at the shoulder and weighs 8 to 13 pounds. The gray fox tail tip is black, and the red fox tail tip is white. Gray foxes live throughout most of South Carolina. Red foxes live statewide. A fox is more likely to be active at dawn, dusk, and at night.

Sources checked 2026-08-24: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources gray fox species guide (opens in a new tab) and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources red fox species guide (opens in a new tab) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission red fox profile (opens in a new tab) and South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies guide (opens in a new tab) and National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab) .

Four choices

Give a fox space

Foxes are wild animals, not tame pets. Give one room because a threatened wild animal could bite or attack.

Never feed a fox

Human food is not part of a wild animal's diet.

Secure food and trash

Secure trash bins and keep pet food indoors.

Respond to a bite or scratch

If a wild animal bites or scratches you, care for the wound and contact a healthcare provider.

What this page covers

This record makes no Surfside Beach sighting claim, local frequency claim, local rabies case claim, case count, season claim, or den claim.

It gives no health diagnosis, removal promise, hunting instruction, trapping instruction, legal penalty, or phone number.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources gray fox species guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources red fox species guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission red fox profile (opens in a new tab) · Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab)

Fox questions

Is a fox near the beach dangerous?: Foxes are wild animals, not tame pets. Give one room because a threatened wild animal could bite or attack.; Source: National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab)
Is a fox out in daytime sick?: The red fox is essentially a nocturnal animal. It may occasionally feed during the day, and it is more likely active at dawn or dusk.; Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission red fox profile (opens in a new tab)
May I feed a fox?: Do not feed a fox. Human food is not healthy for wild animals and is not part of their natural diet.; Sources: National Park Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service feeding wildlife guide (opens in a new tab)
What should I do after a fox bite or scratch?: Care for the wound and contact a healthcare provider.; Source: South Carolina Department of Public Health rabies guide (opens in a new tab)