Will a coyote eat a fox?

ms_minnamouse

17 years ago

I didn't see an actual wildlife forum to ask this so I posted here.

I'm wondering if a coyote will eat a large red fox?

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User

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Rochelle,

I'm not sure where you got those numbers regarding weights?

According to my Mammalogy books, a Red Fox averages 60cm (2 feet) body length a a mass of 3-5 kg (6-11 lbs).

The Coyote averages around 1 meter (39 inches) in body length and weights average 14-20kg (30-45lbs),

So an adult coyote averages 60% longer and weighs at least 4x as much as a Red Fox. A coyote could make quick work of a Red Fox.

In one of my books, they mention that the primary predators of Red Foxes in North America are humans and domestic dogs. If domestic dogs can kill them, so can Coyotes.

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Comments (9)

muddy_sneakers
17 years ago
I don't believe a coyote would kill a red fox simply for food. Overlap in habitat and competition for resources may incite an attack, but I don't think it's a common thing.
suzq_07
17 years ago
I agree with muddy...territories of the coyote and fox often overlap but they do their best to avoid each other. The two species share the same food sources/prey, so when competition grows, there can be trouble. I've been watching a fox den for four years. Two years ago, the coyotes took over the den and killed two adults. I was never able to determine what happened to the young, but the coyotes rendezvous now at this site, and have taken it over for the most part. Here's great website site for fox info, and they even have a nice forum for fox lovers: http://www.foxforest.org/
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jgrow
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Yes, coyotes will intentionally target a fox as a food source. This is a documented fact. That is why the appearance of coyotes in a area with a fox population will result in decreased fox numbers. Coyotes have a broad palate and can out compete a fox in most environs.
kentuck_8b
17 years ago
Coyotes will not normally attack and eat foxes, but if food is scarce, they will eat them if already dead as in the case of road kill or some other misfortune ending in death to the fox.

In our area, we are loaded with both coyotes and foxes. Coyotes will normally hunt prey that will not put up a fight, such as rats, rabbits, chickens, and even small calves, but rarely go after a fox, cat, dog, possum, or coon since they offer too much resistance when attacked.

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plf333
17 years ago
In the city they often target dogs n cats. Have seen it. From my experience, coyotes never seemed too particular about who they eat, if an opportunity shows up, meal- time! Peg
livewildforlife
7 years ago
Coyotes will most definitely kill a fox. I have hunted coyotes for years. Have studied their behavior just as long. I've witnessed a family group of coyotes move into a area. That was already populated by a fox family group. The coyote family group of older pair with two younger coyotes hunted down and killed every member of the fox group. Killed both adults and 4 pups. Found both adult fixes deaD and stripped partially eaten. I heard the night the coyotes got into the fox den. One of the most horrible noises I've ever heard was the fox pups screams. I went to investigate and it was even a more brutal scene. The coyotes had killed all the pups. Coyotes kill foxes just like wolves kill coyotes to eleminate competition.
linywiny
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Coyotes eat everything they can dead or alive & are opportunists.Here in AZ they take many peoples pets-dogs,cats. They can and will take down a full grown fox or good sized dog or lrg. cat especially if there are more than one coyote hunting together. In Southern Ohio where my sister lives they actually have a coyote watch system set up;when someone sees a coyote in their yard or close by they call a special city number and then a call system actually calls all the houses in the area letting everyone know to keep watch over their pets when they are let out in the yards. We as people have built buildings, streets everywhere and the coyotes have and will continue to adapt to the environment that we are overtaking. They keep smaller animals (rabbits,mice,rats)under control. Everything on the planet has it's purpose even if we humans finds whatever it is to be a nuisance.
Rochelle Williams
6 years ago
Okay, large coyote weighs 35-50lbs large Red Fox weighs 20-35lbs. A coyote won’t mess with an adult red fox. Neither will the fox. The grey fox is dinner for both of them though.

Will a coyote eat a fox?

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Comments (9)

muddy_sneakers

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