Mill Mountain Zoo Welcomes Two New Red Foxes!

Mill Mountain Zoo is excited to introduce our two new red foxes! Noodle and Lilly are sisters who were born and raised in captivity and were transferred to Mill Mountain Zoo after being surrendered to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Because they were raised in captivity as pets, they cannot be re-released into the wild.

They are just under a year old and were recently introduced to the Zoo’s long-time resident red fox, Mia, who is almost 14 years old. Before introducing Noodle and Lilly to Mia, careful planning and procedures were followed to ensure a smooth transition. First, the foxes were housed off-exhibit for proper quarantine procedures, including observations, health exams, and required vaccinations. Zookeepers built positive relationships with them and introduced training, an essential part of their care. Swapping out items such as toys and bedding to share their scents with Mia was also implemented to facilitate a seamless introduction process.

Captive-born red foxes come in many different color morphs, which are not typically seen in wild populations. This variation is often due to selective breeding for traits like coat quality, leading to differences in color, size, and even behavior. In the wild, red foxes typically have a reddish-orange coat, though variations can occur. The easiest way to distinguish a red fox from a gray fox is by looking at the tail—a red fox has a white tip, whereas a gray fox has a black tip.

In many states, including Virginia, it is illegal to own a red fox as a pet. Mill Mountain Zoo meets specific regulations and criteria to maintain the proper permits necessary to house and exhibit them. General Curator Julia Franet-Hornbeck says, “Noodle and Lilly are both active, curious, energetic, and playful foxes that look almost identical. Their tails are the easiest way to tell them apart, with Noodle having a smaller white tail tip and Lilly having a larger white tail tip.”

On your next visit to Mill Mountain Zoo, be sure to stop by the lively red fox exhibit. You may see them napping, playing, or “talking” to one another, interacting with novel enrichment items like squeaky toys, deer antlers, or puzzle feeders. The skilled animal care team also conducts training sessions to make their healthcare routines more seamless.

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About Red Foxes

Red foxes are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Northern Africa, most of North America, all of Europe, and much of Asia. They are highly adaptable and can live in forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts, and even farms.

• Size: Typically 2-3 feet in length and weigh between 7-20 lbs.

• Lifespan: 2-4 years in the wild; 10-12 years in captivity.

• Tail: Used for balance and warmth.

• Behavior: Usually solitary except during breeding season.

• Communication: Have 28 different vocalizations and communicate through scent marking.

• Diet: Omnivorous—eat small mammals, invertebrates, birds, fruit, and carrion.

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About Mill Mountain Zoo

Mill Mountain Zoo is governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), demonstrating excellence in animal welfare, safety, and ethics on a national level.

All animal residents at the Zoo are critically endangered, vulnerable, threatened, or non-releasable due to injury, captive birth, or owner relinquishment. The Zoo participates in national and international Species Survival Plans, humane research, and conservation programs.

Located at the top of Mill Mountain, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mill Mountain Zoo overlooks the City of Roanoke. Founded in 1952, the Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operated by the Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia, Inc.

Mill Mountain Zoo is dedicated to promoting an appreciation and understanding of wildlife and habitat preservation through quality exhibits, educational programs, and collaboration with other animal conservation organizations. The Zoo upholds three core beliefs: excellence in animal care, conservation management of endangered species, and fostering science education through its animal collection.