Animal researchers can usually determine a fox's size just by looking at its footprints. Silver foxes have strong legs and can run at speeds up to about 30 miles per hour.

Some of the sightings were indeed of coyotes, but some were foxes. Few Long Islanders could tell the difference.

A small, white, fox-like animal near the bike path off South Macadam Avenue in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 9, 2024. Experts aren't sure what kind of animal it is.