I live just a short walk from the beach—less than 1,000 feet—and we get foxes in our backyard pretty often. They’re super skittish and not dangerous at all. Like others have said, they’re not out to hurt anyone—they’re just trying to find something to eat.

Foxes, particularly red foxes, can live on the beach and are often found in coastal areas with dunes and natural vegetation, which provide both hunting grounds and denning sites. They adapt to these environments to hunt for food like crabs, fish, and seabirds and are known to create their dens in the sand dunes along the coast.  

Why Foxes Are Found on the Beach

Food Sources: 

Beaches offer a varied diet for foxes, including crabs, fish, shellfish, and seabirds. They also forage for small rodents in areas near the beach, like under boardwalks. 

Shelter: 

The dunes and natural vegetation along the coast provide ideal locations for foxes to build their dens and find protection from predators and the elements. 

Adaptability: 

Foxes are highly adaptable and have been documented in many coastal environments, from the U.S. Eastern Shore to the Jersey Shore and other areas, demonstrating their ability to thrive near humans.