Fox antics in central Brighton

Sophie Atkinson
, 14 May 2024
Fox antics in central Brighton
Sophie Atkinson

By Sophie Atkinson

Youth Action Officer

Meet the Fox kits living their best life running around the debris of an untouched back garden, completely unaware that on the other side of the terraced houses is one of the busiest roads in Brighton. Where humans would see rubbish and rubble, one mother saw an opportunity for creating a den with lots of hiding spots and shelter for her kits.


Pockets of habitat in urban spaces can provide an oasis for hard-working parents raising a family. Animals that occupy urban spaces are subjected to high levels of disturbance in the form of noise, light, and human activity. Foxes have occupied urban spaces for many decades, and they are able to do so by being incredibly adaptable to changing conditions and making the most of the resources available to them.

Foxes can thrive in urban environments but there are things we can do to help them along and give them a good chance of successfully breeding each year.

If you notice adult Foxes visiting one spot in your garden, for example under a shed or tree, it is likely there is a new family living there with young offspring, and it is best to leave them alone. If a mother perceives you as a threat, she may decide to abandon the den and move her kits, pushing the family to go to potentially dangerous locations or cross busy roads.


Having been born in the middle of a city, these Foxes barely react to the sounds of power tools a couple of gardens over.

Although they may seem friendly, don’t be tempted to tame your local Foxes. Doing so will make them less wary of humans, which could result in them inadvertently frightening other people, or getting themselves into trouble, by approaching them for food. Urban foxes are much more used to the sight and sound of people but should still be wary of close contact and keep their distance, which is best both for their safety and yours.

Fox cub siblings © Sophie Atkinson
Fox cub siblings © Sophie Atkinson

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Comments

  • Ketan Jha:

    These are such lovely photos and videos. It is particularly interesting to see how non-plussed the kits are about the power tools.

    22 Sep 2025 02:20:00

  • Gillian Fleming:

    A little vixen has been visiting my garden in Seven Dials, Brighton since February and I regularly give her something good to eat but at a respectful distance. I noticed today that she was limping and unable to put weight on her right leg. She is still moving about quickly and there’s no way I could catch her to see what the problem is. Is there anything I can do? Thank you.

    04 Nov 2025 16:47:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    Hi Gillian, 

    The Fox may be suffering with mange, as a limp can be a feature of this illness. You can find the other symptoms of mange here, to see if this Fox fits the description: Injured fox | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk.

    The general advice is if the infection is mild, and the Fox is still wary of humans, getting around ok, and moving off if you come within 2 metres, then it best to leave them to recover in the wild. However, if you notice the symptoms are worsening, or if the Fox doesn’t move when you approach (always keep a safe distance of 2 metres), then we would advise contacting a local rescue service.

    We do not run a wildlife rescue service, but you can find a list of those that do on our website: Who can help with injured wildlife? | Sussex Wildlife Trust.

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