Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm

Due to significant flooding and impassable roads in our region from Tropical Storm Helene, the WNC Nature Center is temporarily CLOSED.

All of our animals are safe and accounted for, and there is minimal damage to the habitats. However, Swannanoa River Road and the main bridge to the Nature Center were washed away, and it will take time to reopen. We will undoubtedly need your support as we rebuild.

Donations can be made at www.wildwnc.org/donate.

Gray Fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Appearance: The gray fox is small, weighing between seven and 13 pounds. It has a salt and pepper coat, usually with a dark stripe down its back. While gray foxes may have red in the coats, an easy way to distinguish a gray fox from a red fox is that gray foxes have black-tipped tails, while the red fox has a white-tipped tail.

Range: Gray foxes are well distributed throughout the United States and prefer woody, brushy habitats. Climbing trees is a unique ability that allows them to escape from predators, forage for food, and gain access to dens. Their semi-retractable claws allow them to leap like cats from tree to tree, and their dens are often found up to 30 feet above the ground! Besides humans, predators include eagles, coyotes, and bobcats.

Diet: Their omnivorous diet consists rodents, small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, plant material, and fruits. Gray foxes are primarily nocturnal but may occasionally be seen foraging during the day.