What do Foxes Consume? Wild & Urban Fox Diet Facts, Habits

Do you picture a fox in a cityscape? Most likely not. Most people imagine a fox in the woods, or perhaps on the arctic tundra depending on which type of fox they are picturing. You might be surprised to learn that urban foxes are a significant part of the global population. They live under buildings and homes and eat whatever food is available.

Fox Diets in Wild

Foxes are mostly carnivorous but can eat small amounts of fruits and other vegetation. Foxes eat small animals like birds, rabbits, and rodents. Foxes living near the coast have been known to eat fish, crabs, and reptiles.

Most foxes only kill one or two animals per week in the wild. They need to have other reliable food sources so most foxes eat insects. If necessary, they will also eat nuts, mushrooms, wild grasses, nuts, and berries.

Foxes are very opportunistic. Even if the carcass was not killed, foxes won’t turn down a tasty meal. Dead carcasses are considered open game by foxes. They are also known as surplus killers. This means that they will kill more animals than they can eat, and hide the food for later consumption.

Urban Foxes’ Dietary Habits

Foxes love to scavenge and are opportunistic eaters. There is a lot of food to be scavenged in urban environments. This means many urban foxes consume a lot of leftover human food they have sourced from trash cans and other similar sources.

Many of the natural food sources for foxes are available in urban areas. Urban foxes can still eat a lot of their usual diet, thanks to the availability of food sources such as rodents and rabbits.

In the spring and summer, when there are many bugs, foxes will eat earthworms and moth larvae. They will also eat other birds that are eating the same insects.

They will eat more rodents and rats in the winter months because there aren’t as many insects. Even though it is rare for foxes and domestic pets to eat small pets, they are at higher risk.

Foxes will eat almost anything. Foxes are adaptable and will eat whatever food is available in their urban areas.

Conclusion

Urban foxes consume a variety of food, including many of their natural food sources as well as some that are less natural. Many urban foxes are able to eat the same foods as rural ones, including rodents, birds, and insects. These foxes will eat them whenever they are available but will also eat small pets and trash cans.