Foxes are small, skittish wild animals that wander the woods and snowfields of Skyrim. They mind their own business, chasing down rabbits and other small game, and bolt the moment the Dragonborn gets too close. Bigger predators, on the other hand, are happy to make a meal of them. Most players encounter foxes as a quick source of pelts, or when one darts across the road in front of them.
A fox normally will not fight back. The exceptions are magical: a fox affected by Courage or Frenzy, or one possessed by a spriggan, will turn and attack. Even then it is hardly a threat, although enough bites can pass on the Rockjoint disease.
Variants
Skyrim has two kinds of fox. They behave the same way and share the same stats; only their fur and the pelt they drop differ.
| Variant | Level | Health | Stamina | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox (red) | 2 | 22 | 25 | Drops a Fox Pelt; found in most of Skyrim |
| Snow Fox | 2 | 22 | 25 | Resists frost by 50%; drops a Snow Fox Pelt |
The snow fox is modelled on the real-world Arctic fox. On the tundra it has to watch out for snow bears, ice wolves and snowy sabre cats.
Where to find them
Red foxes turn up nearly everywhere in Skyrim’s forests and plains. You can spot them in the countryside around Riverwood and Whiterun, as well as in the woods near Riften and Kynesgrove. Snow foxes prefer colder ground and higher altitudes. The northern coast between Solitude and Dawnstar is a reliable place to see their white coats.
Unique foxes
- Pumpkin is a named fox living inside Southfringe Sanctum.
- Kit is a red fox that an adopted child may bring home as a pet with Hearthfire installed.
- Vix is the snow fox equivalent, another possible Hearthfire pet.
Oddly, Kit and Vix never show their names while alive; you only learn what they were called if they die. Fans of sound design may also notice that a fox in combat makes exactly the same noises as a wolf.
