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Fox Diet: What Do Foxes Eat?

Learn about fox diet depending on the factors and seasons

By Heather WhitneyPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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The diet of a fox is a fascinating topic of study. What do these creatures eat in the wild? How do they hunt for food? And what kind of things do they like to snack on? In this blog post, we'll explore the diet of foxes and take a look at some of the different things that these animals eat.

So, whether you're just curious about foxes or you're looking for some tips on how to feed your pet fox, keep reading!

What Do Foxes Eat?

Rural Foxes

Foxes are cunning creatures, and their reputation as cunning tricksters is well deserved. But what many people don't know about foxes is that they are also top predators in the woodland ecosystem.

Foxes, along with deer and badgers, are some of the largest mammals in the woodland, and they play an important role in keeping the population of smaller animals in check. The majority of a fox's diet is made up of live prey, such as rabbits, rodents, birds (including chickens), and invertebrates.

However, foxes are also proficient hunters of larger prey, such as deer fawns. And while they are mostly carnivorous, foxes are also known to eat fruit and berries when they are in season.

The number of foxes competing for food in one area is determined by the abundance of resources. In areas where food is scarce, foxes may compete fiercely with other predators for a meal. But in areas where food is plentiful, foxes can often be seen sharing their meals with others - proving that they really are cunning tricksters after all.

Urban Foxes

Sly, cunning, and often perceived as a nuisance, urban foxes have actually become quite the opportunists when it comes to finding their next meal. And with human populations on the rise in cities and suburbs around the world, these shrewd little scavengers are growing bolder in their attempts to snatch a quick bite from our garbage cans.

While they still hunt live prey on our city streets - such as rodents and pigeons - the majority of their diet now consists of food discarded by humans.

Whether it's a scrap of meat left behind by a careless barbecue chef or a half-eaten burger that's been forgotten on a park bench, foxes have an abundance of food options to choose from in urban areas.

In fact, some homeowners have even taken to leaving out bowls of dog food for their furry neighbors! While we may not always be thrilled about sharing our food with them, we have to admit that urban foxes have become quite adept at making do with what they can find.

Fox Diet During Seasons

Fox diet is not only determined by the location, but also by the season.

Winter

In the winter, foxes' diet shifts away from ground eating and scavenging opportunities due to snow or ice. Instead, they focus on small mammals such as mice, rats, and even rabbits.

This shift in the diet helps them to stay warm and well-fed during the colder months. Additionally, the extra fur on their bodies keeps them insulated from the cold weather. While foxes are typically solitary animals, they will sometimes form packs in order to more effectively hunt for food.

This behavior is especially common in areas where there is a large population of foxes. By working together, they are able to improve their chances of survival during the winter months.

Spring

As the weather warms up and the days get longer, foxes begin to change their hunting habits. In addition to rodents such as mice and rats, they will start to look for earthworms. This is because earthworms are a good source of protein, and they are easy to catch in the spring when the ground is soft.

Foxes will also swim into shallow water in search of fish and crabs. This is because fish and crabs are good sources of fatty acids, which help to keep their fur healthy.

Summer

As any fox knows, the key to surviving the winter is to bulk up during the summer. When food is plentiful, it's important to take advantage of the abundance and eat as many insects as possible.

Not only do insects provide essential nutrients, but they also help to fatten up Foxes for the leaner months ahead.

Of course, eating insects isn't always easy. They can be quite pesky, darting around and trying to escape. But for a clever fox, catching them is all part of the fun.

Autumn

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures begin to cool, foxes start to change their diets. During the autumn season, they prefer fruits such as berries and apples, as well as vegetables such as yam, potato, and sweet potatoes.

This change in diet helps them to prepare for the winter months when food is scarce. Foxes are not the only ones who enjoy autumn fruits and vegetables; humans also enjoy many of the same items.

How Do Foxes Hunt and Forage For Food?

Foxes are cunning predators, capable of taking down large prey. But they are also opportunistic feeders that will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. So, how do foxes hunt and forage for food?

In the wild, foxes primarily eat small mammals like rabbits and squirrels. They will also eat birds, reptiles, insects, and even fruit and vegetables. To hunt effectively, foxes use their keen sense of hearing to locate their prey.

They then stalk their prey until they are within range before pouncing. Once they have made a kill, foxes will drag their prey back to their den to eat in peace. When foraging for food, foxes will rummage through garbage cans, raid bird feeders, and dig up garden vegetables.

In other words, they are not picky eaters! All in all, foxes are fascinating creatures with a varied diet.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the fox diet. While they are omnivorous and can eat a variety of things, their preferred food is small prey like rodents or rabbits.

This makes them an important part of the ecosystem as predators and helps to keep populations of these small animals in check. As we’ve seen, there is more to foxes than just their sly nature – they are fascinating creatures that play an important role in our environment.

Do you have any questions about foxes or their diets? Let us know in the comments below!

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Heather Whitney

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