Interactions

Red foxes interact with many different types of organisms in many different ways. Some of these interactions are predator-prey relationships where the Red Fox could play either role.

Not all of these interactions are negative however; red foxes have been a positive attribute to farmers because they eat rabbits that destroy crops (Baldwin, 2012). The red fox has been observed keeping control of rodent and vole populations (Baldwin, 2012).

While some farmers see the red fox as friends, others see them as foe (Baldwin, 2012). Chicken farmers do not like red foxes, because they will sneak into the hen house and eat the hens along with their eggs (Baldwin, 2012). Live stock farmers do not like red foxes because they will prey on the young and sick members of the groups (Baldwin, 2012). Game birds are another large part of a red fox’s interactions. Not only do red fox eat them as prey and kill them, but they also are a reason for the number a hunter can bag declines (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources).

The red fox is not at the top of the food chain, which means that it has predators. Some of the predators that affect the red fox are wolves, coyotes, bobcats, eagles, bears, mountain lions, cougars, and humans (Animal Diversity Web). Humans interact with foxes by hunting and trapping them. Because of the over population of red fox, the DNR set strict regulations on the number that each hunter can harvest (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources).

A non-predator prey relationship they have is the interaction between animals that have the potential to displace them from their home turf. For instance, the badger will displace the red fox because the Badger is dominant (Baldwin, 2012).

Not all of the interactions a red fox makes are with other animals. Some of these interactions are with organisms that you would not think of like with plants and invertebrates. Eating plants is one interaction they have. Some seeds need to pass through the digestive system in order for them to grow (Baldwin, 2012). Not only do foxes eat plants, they also build their dens out of them (Bluett, 1984). In addition to plants, foxes will eat invertebrates like worms and other bugs (National Geographic).

To learn more about where the red fox, visit the references page!