Red fox, Vulpes vulpes (left) and gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus (right).

Gray and red foxes feed primarily on rabbits, hares, small rodents, poultry, birds, and insects. They also consume fruits. The gray fox eats fish, a prey seldom eaten by the red fox. Gray and especially red foxes kill young live-stock, although poultry is their more common domestic prey. Foxes usually attack the throat of lambs and birds, but kill some by multiple bites to the neck and back (Wade and Bowns 1982). Normally, foxes taking fowl leave behind only a few drops of blood and feathers and carry the prey away from the kill location, often to a den. Eggs are usually opened enough to be licked out. The shells are left beside the nest and are rarely removed to the den, even though fox dens are noted for containing the remains of their prey, particularly the wings of birds.

Einarsen (1956) noted that the breast and legs of birds killed by foxes are eaten first and the other appendages are scattered about. The toes of the victims are usually drawn up in a curled position because of tendons pulled when the fox strips meat from the leg bone. Smaller bones are likely to be sheared off. The remains are often partially buried.

Like other wild canids, foxes will return to established denning areas year after year. They dig dens in wooded areas or open plains. Hollow logs are also used. Dens may be identified by the small doglike tracks or by fox hairs clinging to the entrance. The gray fox is the only fox that readily climbs trees, sometimes denning in a hollow cavity.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Net wire fence. Electric fence.

Cultural Methods

Protect livestock and poultry during most vulnerable periods (for example, shed lambing, farrowing pigs in protective enclosures).

Frightening

Flashing lights and exploders may provide temporary protection. Well-trained livestock guarding dogs may be effective in some situations.

Repellents

None are registered for livestock protection.

Toxicants

M-44® sodium cyanide mechanical ejection device, in states where registered.

Fumigants

Gas cartridges for den fumigation, where registered.

Trapping

Steel leg hold traps. Cage or box traps. Snares.

Shooting

Predator calling techniques. Aerial hunting.

Other Methods

Den hunting. Remove young foxes from dens to reduce predation by adults