Urban vs Rural Foxes

If you were to see a fox out in the wild, would you be able to identify if it was from a rural or an urban area? You might be surprised to learn that there are some key physical differences between the two types of foxes, but that they also share some similarities.

In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at both rural and urban foxes, and see what makes each one unique. Stay tuned!

Urban vs Rural Foxes: Key Differences

Foxes are sly creatures, and they seem to enjoy playing tricks on humans. Whether you live in the city or the country, you're likely to have had a few encounters with these cunning animals. However, there is a significant difference between urban and rural foxes.

Diet

The difference in diet between rural and urban foxes is really just a matter of taste.

Rural foxes are more refined, enjoying a natural diet of rodents, rabbits, and birds. They also appreciate the finer things in life, like fruit, berries, and wild vegetables.

Urban foxes, on the other hand, will eat anything they can get their hands on. With a scavenger mentality, urban foxes dig through garbage cans, eating any leftovers or food waste from the human population that their snouts come into contact with.

While both types of foxes are opportunistic eaters, the main distinction between the two is what they typically consume on a day-to-day basis. Consequently, this also affects their behavior and habits, with rural foxes being more shy and elusive while urban foxes are often bolder and more brazen around humans.

Habitat

If you're lucky enough to live in the countryside, you might catch a glimpse of a fox darting through the woods.

These clever creatures are well-adapted to life in the wild, and they prefer to live in forested areas where they can dig burrows or dens. This provides them with shelter from the elements and a place to store their food.

However, urban foxes have also learned to adapt to life in close proximity to humans. You're more likely to see one of these cunning critters scurrying through your neighborhood than you are to spot one in the forest.

And if you're wondering why urban foxes would rather live in close quarters with humans than in the wide open spaces of the countryside, it's because they're looking for a little peace and quiet. After all, who wants to be disturbed while trying to get some rest?

Behavior

As any farmer will tell you, foxes are wily creatures. They're known for being cunning and sly, and they're often seen as a nuisance to rural communities. However, there's more to these furry predators than meets the eye.

While they may be notorious for stealing chickens or raiding garbage cans, rural foxes are still wild animals. They're shy and skittish by nature, and they're terrified of humans. If they feel threatened, they can become aggressive. That's why it's best to admire these creatures from a distance.

Urban foxes, on the other hand, have adapted to city life. Many of them have lost their instinctive fear of humans, and they're often seen roaming around in broad daylight.

They're curious and bold animals, and they sometimes don't mind being approached by other animals or humans. While many urban foxes appear to be friendly, we advise against approaching them. Just remember: although they may look cute, they're still wild animals.

Do Urban and Rural Foxes Look Different?

As any city-dweller knows, urban foxes are a common sight. These resourceful animals have learned to adapt to life in the city, and they can often be seen scurrying through alleyways and trashcans in search of food.

Despite their ubiquity, urban foxes remain something of a mystery to many people. For instance, some people believe that urban foxes have greyer coats than their rural counterparts. This is untrue; the color of a fox's coat is determined by genetics, not the environment.

Similarly, some people believe that urban foxes suffer from foot problems because they spend so much time walking on concrete. Again, this is false; foxes are very nimble creatures, and their feet are perfectly suited for life in the city.

Urban and rural foxes look the same, they've simply adapted to their different lifestyles. The biggest difference between the two is that urban foxes are generally bolder and less afraid of humans. This is because they've learned that humans usually don't pose a threat and can be a source of food.

When Did Foxes Colonize the Urban Areas?

Few creatures have captured the public imagination quite like the fox. These cunning predators have long been the stuff of folklore and legend, and their ability to adapt to a variety of habitats has only added to their mystique.

For centuries, foxes have been present in rural areas, but in recent decades they have become increasingly common in urban environments as well. While the exact reasons for this are not fully understood, it is thought that the expansion of cities during the early twentieth century created ideal conditions for these adaptable animals.

With an abundance of food and shelter, foxes quickly flourished in urban areas, much to the surprise of city-dwellers who were unused to seeing these wild creatures in their midst. In many ways, the presence of foxes in our cities is a reminder of our own place in the natural world.

These elusive creatures are a welcome sight for many people, and their ability to thrive in an urban environment is a testament to their intelligence and resourcefulness.

Summary

The next time you’re in the countryside, keep an eye out for these furry creatures and see if you can spot any similarities (or differences!) between rural and urban foxes.

And if you do manage to snap a picture of one, don’t forget to share it with us – we love seeing your photos!