Foxes are highly adaptable canids, known for their intelligence and resourcefulness in finding food across a vast range of environments. While they do scavenge, this label only tells a fraction of the story. Their survival strategy is defined by exploiting any available food source, making them masters of opportunism rather than dedicated scavengers. This flexible diet allows them to thrive everywhere from remote forests to densely populated cities.
Classification as Opportunistic Omnivores
Foxes are scientifically classified as omnivores, meaning their diet is composed of both animal and plant matter. While they belong to the order Carnivora, their feeding habits are far more generalist. Their primary food sources, which they actively hunt or forage for, include small mammals like mice and voles, birds, insects, and earthworms.
The foundation of their diet is built upon active predation and foraging. Plant matter, such as berries, fruits, and nuts, becomes a significant part of the diet when animal prey is scarce. This flexibility is where the term “opportunistic” comes into play; a fox will always choose the easiest and safest meal available.
A single fox species, such as the widely distributed red fox, consumes a massive variety of items. They are capable of digesting both meat and plant material, though they have a biological dependence on meat for nutrients like taurine. This dietary breadth is a key factor in their ability to flourish in diverse global habitats.
Scavenging Strategies Across Habitats
The specific items a fox scavenges depend heavily on its environment, illustrating a clear difference between rural and urban populations. In rural areas, scavenging often centers on natural carrion, such as roadkill or remains left by a larger predator. Agricultural environments also provide opportunities, including waste grain, discarded produce, or the occasional unguarded chicken egg.
The diet of rural foxes still consists mainly of natural prey, with human-derived food making up a small percentage, often around six percent. Their scavenging is generally a necessary supplement to hunting, especially during lean times.
In contrast, urban foxes have adapted to make human waste a primary, reliable food source. Urban scavenging focuses on readily accessible anthropogenic sources, including poorly secured garbage bins, compost piles, and discarded pet food. Research suggests that human food and pet food combined can account for an estimated 35% of an urban fox’s diet. This constant, high-density food availability allows urban fox populations to reach higher densities than those in the countryside.
Managing Interactions with Urban Foxes
Since urban foxes are drawn to human environments by the availability of scavengeable food, managing interactions requires removing these attractants. These practical steps focus on reducing the convenience of scavenging, which is the behavioral driver allowing them to thrive in densely populated areas.
Securing Food Sources
The most effective measures involve securing potential food sources:
- Properly secure all household refuse using sturdy bins with locked or weighted lids that cannot be easily tipped over.
- Ensure that all compost is fully enclosed to prevent foxes from accessing decomposing food scraps.
- Eliminate accessible pet food, as leaving bowls outside overnight is a direct invitation for scavenging.
- Minimize other food sources, such as fallen fruit from trees or excess birdseed scattered on the ground.
Protecting Pets and Livestock
For those with pets or small livestock, a completely secure enclosure is necessary to prevent predation, as foxes are opportunistic hunters. This means using heavy-gauge wire mesh for runs and ensuring that fences are buried or angled to prevent digging or climbing.