The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is a highly adaptable omnivore found across North and Central America. This species is unique among North American canids because of its climbing ability, made possible by its semi-retractable, hooked claws and strong legs. This allows it to ascend trees to forage or escape predators. Unlike the red fox, the gray fox regularly includes a substantial amount of plant matter in its diet, allowing it to thrive in diverse habitats.
Animal-Based Diet Components
The foundation of the gray fox’s diet is built on small to medium-sized mammals. Lagomorphs, such as the eastern cottontail rabbit, are often primary prey in the eastern United States. As solitary hunters, they actively pursue rodents, including voles, shrews, mice, squirrels, and woodrats. These mammals form a significant part of their diet, especially during winter when plant sources are scarce. The gray fox also catches birds, sometimes utilizing its climbing skill to access tree-dwelling species or their nests.
Hunting is typically done at night or during twilight hours. The fox uses its keen senses of smell and hearing to locate prey moving beneath vegetation or snow. Once located, the fox may stalk the animal before rushing and pouncing to pin the prey with its forepaws. Their climbing ability gives them an advantage over other canids, allowing them to hunt arboreal prey like squirrels that are typically out of reach for other foxes.
Importance of Plant Matter and Fruits
Plant material constitutes a substantial portion of the gray fox’s yearly intake, distinguishing its diet from many other North American canids. This reliance on vegetation peaks in the warmer months, with fruit sometimes making up to 70% of their diet in certain seasons. The fox consumes a wide array of fruits and berries, including wild grapes, blackberries, persimmons, apples, and juniper berries.
The presence of specific fruits depends on local availability, and the fox will opportunistically forage for whatever is ripe. Acorns, hickory nuts, and beechnuts are also consumed when available, providing a source of fat and carbohydrates. This consumption of plant matter is so pronounced that in some parts of the Western United States, the gray fox’s diet is primarily herbivorous and insectivorous.
Opportunistic and Seasonal Feeding
The gray fox is an opportunistic feeder, readily consuming items outside of its primary categories to supplement its diet. Invertebrates, particularly insects, become a major food source during the spring and summer months. Grasshoppers and crickets are commonly consumed and can make up a substantial part of their diet when plentiful.
Eggs from ground-nesting birds or reptiles are also incorporated into the diet when discovered. The gray fox will scavenge on carrion and may venture into human-occupied areas to feed on refuse or pet food left outdoors. This flexibility allows the gray fox to sustain itself throughout the year by focusing on the most accessible food sources.