LINCOLN, Neb. - If you’ve noticed seeing more of one certain mammal in Lincoln or another urban area of Nebraska, you’re not alone.

Red Foxes have made homes in cities throughout the state and there’s multiple factors as to why. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Wildlife Ecologist John Benson says one main reason, is diet.

“Taxonomically, they’re carnivores, but they will eat other things,” Benson said. “They’ll eat berries, the;; eat human food which allows them to do well in a. Lot of different areas including Lincoln.”

And that diet includes small mammals like squrriels, rabbits, and mice that are abundant throughout urban areas. Benson says another contributing factor is a lack of coyotes, which have been known to kill Red Fox. But since coyotes usually avoid humans, a unique ecology concept comes into play, known as the human shield.

“Usually we’re thinking about predators like wolves and mountain lions with deer or elk, but the deer or the elk may actually choose to move closer to humans because they know they won’t encounter wolves or mountain lions as much,” Benson said. “A situation like coyotes or red foxes when coyotes will kill red foxes, red foxes can also use humans as a shield because they know coyotes won’t go running through residential areas.”

As for dangers to pets, Benson of course recommends having rabies shots up-to-date, but notes conflicts are rare.

“Red Foxes are pretty timid, so they will generally avoid your dog if they encounter it,” Benson said. “As for cats, it may sound silly, but even a cat would be bit of a touch matchup against a fox and the fox would probably rather not deal with it.”