Field Mouse
As an opportunistic omnivore, the key to fox diet is variety. Local plants that produce fruit are always a favorite, as well as large insects commonly found near them. Other staples include small mammals, such as mice, shrews, and voles. Less frequently, birds, eggs and small rabbits also end up on the menu.

Capturing prey requires a combination of sharp senses, instinct and experience. Keeping the nose low to the ground, and ears erect, a fox prefers to search through "edge" territory, where forest and field habitats overlap. There, many opportunities exist to pounce the next potential meal.

Foxes are also keen scavengers. In the wild, they might sneak off with the remains of a fish caught by an eagle, or be bold enough to steal scraps from a wolf or polar bear. They also find new opportunities around human dwellings.


Friend or Foe?

Unfortunately, urban sprawl has pushed people into increasingly closer contact with foxes. Fields that once supplied berries, mice, and insects are now paved for parking lots. In these places, foxes have adapted to forage through trash bins, eat rats beneath bushes, and bugs around porch lights.

For those who enjoy helping wildlife, leave out only safe foods such as deboned meat, fish, eggs, bread, fruit, or pet food. Put them as far away from human dwellings as possible. Never feed wild animals continuously or by hand, as they may become too trusting and dependant on people.

Foxes should never be fed anything containing chocolate, or processed "human" food such as candy and snacks.


Checking a food stash

Once food has been found, a fox will save the leftovers by covering them with grass, burying them, or otherwise hiding them from other predators. This survival technique, called caching, is especially important during the winter.

Sometimes those caches are sometimes discovered by other animals, so foxes must make an effort to spread them out, check them frequently, and camoflauge them well. The success of keeping caches secret can be the difference between living comfortably, or suffering from hunger.

With such a variety of skills, and a diverse appetite, the red fox proves to be a highly adaptable omnivore.