Foxes are adaptable predators found across diverse global habitats. They exhibit a generalist diet, allowing them to thrive in various environments by consuming a wide array of food sources. This flexibility enables them to adjust to changing food availability. Their opportunistic nature means they consume what is accessible and convenient.
Primary Prey: Small Mammals and Birds
Small mammals and birds are primary components of a fox’s diet in natural environments. Rodents such as voles, mice, and rats are frequently consumed, providing a consistent source of protein. Voles are common small mammals targeted by foxes in rural areas. Rabbits and hares also constitute a significant portion of their diet, particularly in rural settings. These prey animals are targeted due to their abundance and manageable size.
Foxes also regularly prey on various bird species. This includes ground-nesting birds, fledglings, and sometimes domestic poultry if accessible. Together, birds and small mammals account for a substantial portion of a fox’s diet, especially in rural areas.
Opportunistic and Seasonal Food Sources
Beyond primary prey, foxes adapt their diet based on seasonal availability. Insects are a notable supplementary food source, particularly during warmer months. Beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, earthworms, and cranefly larvae are commonly consumed.
Fruits and berries become important dietary components, especially in autumn when abundant. Foxes consume various plant matter, including berries, apples, and cultivated crops. This plant-based consumption increases during specific seasons. Additionally, foxes scavenge on carrion (dead animals), a significant food source when fresh prey is scarce, especially in winter. They may also consume amphibians, reptiles, and fish when available.
Hunting Strategies and Adaptations
Foxes are solitary hunters, employing various strategies and adaptations to acquire food. They typically move with a steady, trotting gait, patrolling their territory while remaining alert for prey. Their keen senses are crucial for successful hunting; smell is primary for initial detection, but acute hearing is particularly important for pinpointing prey, especially small rodents hidden in vegetation or under snow. Foxes can detect rodents up to 3 feet beneath the snow.
Once prey is located, foxes often use a distinctive “mousing pounce.” This technique involves a stealthy approach, followed by a high leap to land on their target. This pounce can reach heights of up to 5 feet. Foxes also cache (store) surplus food for later consumption. They bury food items in shallow holes, covering them with soil or leaves. This caching behavior helps during periods of food scarcity and is more common in winter.
Foxes in Human-Dominated Landscapes
Foxes in urban and suburban areas adapt their diets significantly, reflecting the unique food sources available in these environments. Scavenging from human refuse becomes a common practice, with foxes consuming discarded food scraps from bins and even pet food left outdoors. In some cities, scavenged items like meat, bones, bread, and bird food constitute a large portion of their diet. Human-derived food can account for 35% of an urban fox’s diet, compared to 6% for rural foxes.
While scavenging is prevalent, urban foxes also continue to hunt natural prey like rats, mice, and pigeons. Their adaptability allows them to exploit the abundance and accessibility of food in human-populated areas. Although foxes can prey on domestic fowl or small pets, such as chickens, ducks, or unsupervised small pets, this is often opportunistic and typically involves easily accessible animals. Studies show that pets might constitute a small percentage of their urban diet, for example, around 4-8.7%. Urban foxes are generally not reliant on bin-raiding as their sole food source, as many people intentionally provide food for them.