10 Shocking Real Sounds: What Did The Fox Say? The Scientific Truth Behind Ylvis' Viral Hit

The question "What did the fox say?" remains one of the internet's most enduring and curious cultural memes, nearly a decade after the Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis released their electronic dance novelty song, "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)." As of December 18, 2025, the track's blend of absurd lyrics—"Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!"—and a catchy beat continues to spark curiosity: what exactly is the scientific, zoological answer to this whimsical query? The truth is far more complex, and frankly, much more shocking, than "Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!"

The song, which became a global viral video phenomenon and the top trending YouTube video of 2013, intentionally offered a humorous, nonsensical answer to a question that has puzzled humanity for centuries. However, the actual vocalizations of the Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox) and its cousins are a fascinating study in animal communication, encompassing a wide range of unnerving and distinct sounds that confirm the fox is one of nature’s most vocally diverse canids.

The True Fox Communication: More Than Just a Scream

Contrary to the upbeat, electro-pop suggestions of the Ylvis brothers, Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker, the real answer to "What does the fox say?" is a complex repertoire of over 20 different vocalizations. These sounds are crucial for territorial defense, mating, and communicating with kits (baby foxes). The most prominent and often startling sound is the scream, which has led many suburban residents to believe they are hearing a human in distress.

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The Red Fox is the most widely distributed and studied species, and its vocal range is extensive. Unlike many other canids, such as dogs, foxes are not considered biphonic, meaning they generally produce only low-frequency sounds, though their vocalizations are still incredibly varied.

The Shocking Sounds of the Fox: A Listicle of Real Vocalizations

Here are the primary, scientifically documented sounds that answer the famous question, proving that the fox says much more than "Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!":

• The Scream (or Vixen's Contact Call): This is arguably the most famous and loudest sound a fox makes. It is a high-pitched, often blood-curdling shriek, typically used by vixens (female foxes) during the breeding season to attract a mate or by any fox as a contact call over long distances. Male red foxes may also use a similar sound to warn off competitors.
• The Bark: A fox's bark is shorter, higher-pitched, and more frantic than a dog's bark. It is primarily a territorial bark, used to warn rivals to stay away from a feeding ground or den. Arctic foxes, in particular, use distinct territorial barks.
• The Alarm Call: A sharp, single-syllable sound used to alert other foxes, especially kits, to immediate danger. This is a crucial sound for survival.
• The Whine: Usually heard between a vixen and her kits, or between two foxes in a non-threatening, submissive social context. It is a low-frequency sound indicating contentment or a request for food.
• The Growl: A low, guttural sound used as a threat display before a physical confrontation. It is a clear warning sign to back off.
• The Yell: A loud, abrupt vocalization used during aggressive encounters, such as a fight over food or territory.
• The Purr/Giggle: Yes, foxes purr! A quiet, chattering sound often heard from kits or during friendly interactions, similar to a domestic cat's purr but with a more rhythmic, clicking quality.
• The Koo-Koo: A gentle, repetitive call used by a vixen to summon her kits back to the den.

The sheer variety of these sounds highlights the sophistication of fox communication. Scientists are still studying the exact reasons behind some of the more extreme vocalizations, such as the shriek, but it is clear they are used for specific, high-stakes communication.

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The Enduring Legacy of the Ylvis Phenomenon

While the scientific community offers the factual answer, the cultural impact of "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" cannot be overstated. The song, which was originally created as a promotional stunt for the Ylvis brothers' talk show, quickly transcended its novelty status. It became a global earworm, dominating the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving Diamond certification in several countries. The video's surreal imagery—featuring men in animal costumes dancing in a forest—perfectly captured the spirit of early 2010s internet culture.

The song's success was a landmark moment for viral marketing and the power of YouTube as a platform for global reach. It solidified the genre of the novelty song in the digital age, following in the footsteps of other unexpected hits. The Ylvis phenomenon proved that a simple, absurd question, when paired with a highly produced, catchy electronic dance music (EDM) track, could generate immense topical authority and mainstream attention.

The brilliance of the song lies in its ability to tap into a universal curiosity: what *do* animals actually say? By offering a ridiculous, memorable answer like "A-hee-ahee ha-hee!" it provided a satisfying, albeit fictional, resolution to a common childhood question, allowing the scientific reality—the terrifying vixen's scream—to remain a surprising discovery for those who research the topic.

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Foxes in Popular Culture and Zoology: Entities and Topical Authority

The fox has always been a potent symbol in human culture, often depicted as a trickster or a clever rogue. This reputation only adds to the mystery surrounding its vocalizations. The song's success drove a massive spike in searches for fox vocalization, forcing a temporary convergence of pop culture and zoology.

Key entities and concepts related to the fox and the song:

• Ylvis: The Norwegian comedy duo behind the hit.
• Bård Ylvisåker & Vegard Ylvisåker: The two brothers who wrote and performed the song.
• Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes): The most common species, known for its wide vocal range.
• Arctic Fox (Vulpes lagopus): A smaller species whose communication includes distinct territorial barks.
• Vixen: The term for a female fox, often associated with the loud "scream."
• Canids: The biological family that includes foxes, dogs, and wolves.
• Kits (or Pups): The term for young foxes.
• Electronic Dance Novelty Song: The genre of the viral track.
• Viral Video Phenomenon: The cultural status achieved by the music video.
• Biphonic Sounds: A technical term for producing two sounds simultaneously, which foxes generally do not do.
• Territorial Defense: A key reason for fox barks and growls.
• Breeding Season: The period when the loudest shrieks (vixen's contact calls) are heard.
• Zoology & Ethology: The scientific fields that study animal behavior and vocalizations.

In conclusion, the simple, whimsical query posed by Ylvis has a profound and complex answer. While the song offered an unforgettable "Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!", the real red fox communicates with a chilling, human-like scream, a series of urgent barks, and even a gentle purr. The true fox says many things, but above all, its diverse vocalizations ensure its survival in the wild, proving that reality is often stranger, and louder, than even the most viral fiction.