Domestic dogs bark often in everyday interactions.

Wolves howl over long distances.

However, many people have never heard a fox, making its sounds a mystery.

Vocal Structure of Foxes

Vocalization in mammals typically relies on the rapid movement of air through the vocal folds, causing them to vibrate and produce sound. Foxes have a well-formed larynx, or voice box, which contains the vocal folds required for sound production.

Foxes have a smaller body and more flexible vocal cords than dogs or wolves. Fox vocal cords can stretch or relax, allowing for swift changes in pitch and tone. This sets a fox’s vocal repetoire apart from related canine species.

Fox Sounds

Foxes have a wide array of calls. They can bark, scream, whine, or even chatter. Studies show they have a more flexible vocal range than many people realize. These varied sounds help them guard territory, find partners, and alert others to threats.

Barks

Fox barks are short, sharp bursts of sound. They often use this vocalization to define territory and warn intruders. The pitch can vary, but it usually falls into a mid-to-high range. Barking can be heard during both day and night, especially when a fox feels tense.

A fox bark is typically sharper and higher-pitched than a dog bark. Additionally, their barks are brief bursts or a single bark versus a domestic dog’s repetitive barks.

Screams

A fox scream is high-pitched and can resemble a human-like cry. It is most common during mating season and moments of distress. The intensity can startle people who hear it at night, mistaking it for a human in anguish.

Gekkering

Gekkering is a rapid, staccato chatter heard when foxes compete or court. It often sounds harsh and clipped, with quick rises and falls. The tone can escalate if multiple foxes are involved. Gekkering shows social tension and can precede fights or mating rituals.

This sound rarely appears in dog or wolf repertoires.

Whines and Whimpers

Foxes whine to express need or seek attention. Young kits whine when they want food or comfort from their mother. Adult foxes may whine softly when approaching a mate. The tone is gentle but can turn urgent if the fox feels threatened.

Whimpers are subdued calls that signal submission or fear. They are quieter than whines and often occur during tense encounters. A fox may whimper when facing a larger predator. This call can also help diffuse aggression within a social group.

“What Does the Fox Say?”

“What Does the Fox Say?” is a comedic pop song by the Norwegian duo Ylvis. It was released in 2013 and quickly became a viral sensation.

The track states, “There’s one sound that no one knows: ‘What does the fox say?’” Then it playfully answers the question with random vocals. Its music video drew global attention on social media, amassing hundreds of millions of views on YouTube. Although delivered as a parody, it sparked real curiosity about actual fox vocalizations. Unfortunately, the sounds that it claims that a fox makes are completely inaccurate.