Gray foxes are silvery gray with conspicuous patches of yellow, brown, or white on the throat and belly. They are generally nocturnal and very shy, carefully avoiding humans as much as possible, but occasionally they may be seen during the day hunting for food.

Gray foxes are omnivorous, feeding on rabbits, mice, and other small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, plant material, and fruits.

They tend to prefer woody, brushy habitats and have been known to climb trees to find refuge from a threat, or to forage for eggs or fruit.