A gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) was photographed on the trails of Mount Davidson this week — a rare and exciting sighting for the neighborhood's urban wildlife corridor.
Gray foxes are unique among North American canids for their ability to climb trees, using strong, hooked claws to scale trunks when threatened or hunting. Smaller and shyer than coyotes, they are easily overlooked despite being present across much of San Francisco's western green spaces.
This individual was spotted near the summit of Mt. Davidson in the late afternoon — likely following the ridgeline corridor that connects the mountain's forest to Sutro's eucalyptus stands, where small mammals are plentiful.
"I almost mistook it for a cat at first — it moved quickly between the trees. But then I saw the bushy tail with the dark stripe. Unmistakably a gray fox."
If you spot a gray fox, give it space and do not approach. Do not feed it. Report sightings with date, time, and location to help build the community's record of neighborhood wildlife.