Foxes do not eat adult cows. An adult cow is far too large for a fox to prey upon, as a red fox, for instance, weighs at most around 9 kg, while a mid-size cow can weigh approximately 700 kg. While there are rare reports of foxes attempting to prey on calves, it is highly unlikely for them to succeed, especially if the calf is not weak or unprotected. Foxes primarily hunt much smaller prey.
The Real Fox Diet
Foxes are opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diet includes both plant and animal matter. They primarily function as opportunistic carnivores, with a significant portion of their diet consisting of small mammals. This includes rodents like mice, voles, and rats, along with lagomorphs such as rabbits and hares. In some rural areas, these small mammals can account for about 50% of a fox’s diet.
Beyond mammals, foxes also prey on birds, frogs, and earthworms. Insects, including beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers, form a notable part of their diet, particularly during spring and summer. Foxes supplement their carnivorous diet with various fruits, berries, nuts, and even some vegetables like corn or barley. They are also known to scavenge on carrion.
Foxes hunt solitarily, often at night or during twilight hours, though they may forage during the day, particularly when feeding their young. They patrol their territory, relying on their acute senses of smell and hearing to detect prey. Once a scent is picked up, a fox will stalk and pounce, pinning its target with its paws before delivering a killing bite. Their strong sense of smell can even lead them to carrion buried under snow or soil.
Foxes and Farm Animals
While foxes do not pose a direct predatory threat to adult cows due to the immense size difference and the cows’ natural defense mechanisms, their opportunistic nature can lead to interactions with other farm animals. Foxes are well-known for preying on smaller livestock, such as chickens, ducks, and young lambs or piglets, especially if these animals are unprotected. Poultry is a common domestic prey for foxes, often carried away from the kill location.
Calves, particularly if newborn, weak, or left unprotected, can occasionally be targeted by foxes. There have been reports of foxes attempting to attack vulnerable calves, sometimes focusing on specific areas like the tongue or face. However, maternal cows are highly protective, and a single kick from an adult cow can easily deter or injure a fox. Foxes may also scavenge on cow carcasses, which is a less energy-intensive way to obtain food. The presence of foxes around calving areas can sometimes be attributed to their interest in afterbirth rather than direct predation on calves.