London is home to an estimated 10,000 red foxes, equal to about 16 foxes per square mile. Wander through London’s streets, and you might spot a red fox darting across a garden or lounging on a suburban fence. But why are there so many foxes in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities? The answer lies in their remarkable adaptability and the city’s unique landscape.

Foxes are nature’s ultimate opportunists. While rural foxes stick to fields and forests, their urban cousins have learned to thrive in the nooks and crannies of London life. Parks, gardens, alleyways, and even abandoned buildings provide the perfect cover for them to hunt, rest, and raise their young. To a fox, London’s sprawling metropolis is just another kind of wilderness. Food is everywhere in London, and foxes know how to find it due to:

• Overflowing bins and leftovers - The city’s human residents are surprisingly generous, whether they mean to be or not.

• Gardens teeming with wildlife - Small mammals, birds, and insects make excellent snacks.

• Deliberate feeding - Some Londoners leave out food for foxes, charmed by their clever antics and bushy tails.

• No Natural Enemies - In the countryside, foxes might have to worry about predators or farmers controlling their numbers. But in London? They rule the streets. With few threats, they’ve boldly expanded their territory into neighborhoods and even industrial areas.

• London’s green spaces, like Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park, offer urban foxes a natural refuge right in the middle of the city. These areas provide everything they need—shelter, water, and hunting grounds—all wrapped up in a convenient urban package.

Living alongside humans isn’t without risks. Foxes must navigate busy roads, face diseases, and occasionally clash with people who aren’t as charmed by their presence. But their resilience and ability to adapt have made them an iconic part of London life.

London’s foxes are more than just city dwellers—they’re a symbol of wildlife finding its place in the modern world, proving that nature and urban life can coexist in surprising and delightful ways.