Are Foxes Omnivores, Herbivores, Or Carnivores?


are-foxes-omnivores-herbivores-or-carnivores-thumbnail

So, you are interested in finding out if foxes are either omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores. In this article, you’ll find the answer to this question and also a few more answers to closely related questions, so make sure you keep on reading this article till the end.

Are foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores? Foxes are omnivores because they eat both meat-based and plant-based foods. They aren’t herbivores because they don’t only eat plant-based foods, and they aren’t carnivores because they don’t only eat meat-based foods.

Their wildlife lifestyle allows them to be ecologically prepared, and when it comes to food, they’re known as excellent opportunists. It is known that foxes consume everything edible that they can find, like, for example, various forest fruits, berries, and even carcasses.

Are grey foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

Grey foxes are omnivores that feed on both plant-based and meat-based foods, although they prefer meat over plant-based foods. They aren’t herbivores because they don’t only eat plant-based foods, and they aren’t carnivores because they don’t only eat meat-based foods.

They feed on eastern cottontail rabbits, field mice, voles, and other small rodents. Besides these animals, they consume birds, lizards, acorns, grains, bugs, nuts, apples, grapes, and eggs.

Grey foxes aren’t picky about what they eat. They will also consume carrion, which is the decaying flesh of animals. When it comes to animal meat then they prefer pig meat and horse meat.

Are red foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

The red foxes are omnivores that dine on a wide range of foods. Red foxes are not herbivores because they do not only eat plant-based foods, and they’re also not carnivores because their diet does not only consist of meat.

Their diet comprises berries, fruits, and grasses and also includes birds and small rodents such as squirrels, rabbits, and mice. Crayfish, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles are also examples of what a fox’s diet consists of.

Even when they’re full, the red fox will continue to hunt while hiding the extra food beneath leaves, snow, or dirt.

Are arctic foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

Arctic foxes are omnivores because they will consume almost everything that crosses their path. They are not carnivores because their diet doesn’t only consist of meat and they’re also not herbivores because they do not only eat plant-based foods.

While they tend to hunt and capture small animals, they’ll also consume fruits and insects. The Arctic fox is a generalist predator and scavenger. They will eat almost any still living or already dead animal if it would extend their survival.

Are fennec foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

Fennec foxes are omnivorous animals that primarily hunt food during cooler nights. They aren’t categorized as herbivores because they don’t only eat plant-based foods, and they’re also not categorized as carnivores because their diet doesn’t only consist of meat-based foods.

They consume various plant-based foods, such as grasses, berries, roots, fruits, and they also hunt to find various delicious insects and small reptiles.

Are kit foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

Kit foxes are categorized as omnivores because these animals eat both plant-based and meat-based foods. Kit foxes aren’t categorized as carnivores because they do not only eat meat-based foods and they’re also not categorized as herbivores because they do not only consume plant-based foods.

The diet of a kit fox consists of rodents and rabbits and they’ve been observed consuming tomatoes, cactus fruits, and other available fruits whenever food is limited. They may also consume huge insects, lizards, snakes, and ground-dwelling birds if food is hard to come by.

are-foxes-omnivores-herbivores-or-carnivores-fox-photo-1

Are pampas foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

Pampas foxes are categorized as omnivores because their diet entirely consists of both meat-based and plant-based foods. Pampas foxes aren’t categorized as herbivores because they do not only eat plant-based foods and they’re also not carnivores because they do not only consume meat-based foods.

Pampas foxes may eat various types of grasses and meats when they are available. Furthermore, they will go for fruits and berries whenever meat-based foods are scarce.

If you can’t get enough of learning about foxes then I encourage you to check out the “Foxes Category Page” which consists of various articles that give answers to fox-related questions.

Are swift foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

Swift foxes are omnivores because their diet consists out of plant-based and meat-based foods. They are not seen as herbivores because they do not only eat plant-based foods. They are also not seen as carnivores because they do not only eat meat-based foods.

The foods they eat include rabbits, mice, birds, ground squirrels, insects, and lizards. Besides these animals, they consume fruits and grasses.

Nevertheless, like any efficient forager, swift foxes eat seasonal foods when possible.

Adult swift foxes eat insects during the summer, including grasshoppers and beetles and they also like to eat deer meat and the meat of other animals that cross their paths during both the summer and winter seasons.

Are bat-eared foxes omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

The bat-eared foxes are omnivores because their diet consists of both meat and plant-based foods. Bat-eared foxes are not seen as herbivores because their diet doesn’t only consist of plant-based foods and they’re also not carnivores because their diet doesn’t only consist of meat.

They love eating termites, which make up to 70 percent of their diet. In addition to termites, the bat-eared fox consumes dung beetles and their larvae, millipedes, scorpions, grasshoppers, spiders, rodents (including mice), lizards, and various types of fruits.

Why are foxes categorized as omnivores?

Foxes are categorized as omnivores because omnivores are animals that only live on plant-based foods and meat-based foods which is also the diet that foxes have. This is also the reason why foxes can’t be categorized as either herbivores or carnivores.

They have a wild lifestyle that allows them to eat anything they find and are notorious for being excellent opportunists when it comes to finding food.

Some people believe that foxes will eat anything they can get their paws on, including forest berries, and various other kinds of fruits.

Why are foxes not categorized as herbivores?

Foxes are not categorized as herbivores because herbivores are animals that only eat plant-based foods. Foxes also eat meat-based foods and are therefore seen as omnivores. Foxes can sometimes be mistaken for herbivores when you see them eating berries or other plant-based foods.

Examples of animals that are categorized as herbivores are deer, camels, cows, donkeys, beavers, rabbits, goats, horses, and elephants.

Why are foxes not categorized as carnivores?

Carnivores are animals that survive on only meat-based foods. Foxes are not categorized as carnivores because they eat both plant-based and meat-based foods which categorizes them as omnivores. They are, however, often mistaken as carnivores.

Examples of carnivorous animals are sharks, piranhas, cheetahs, hyenas, otters, bears, seals, wildcats, lions, leopards, and wolves.

are-foxes-omnivores-herbivores-or-carnivores-fox-photo-2

Is a fox an obligate carnivore?

While foxes consume meat, they’re not obligate carnivores. Obligate carnivores are animals that have a diet that consists out of meat for at least 70 percent. Foxes are opportunists that eat whatever crosses their paths.

It is, however, very well known that foxes love to eat meat, and if they would have to choose between plant-based foods and meat that they’ll always choose the meat over the plant-based foods.

Related questions

What do foxes eat?

Foxes consume the meat of a wide range of animals as well as, fruits, and vegetables. They eat insects like beetles, earthworms, cutworms, and both larva and adult craneflies. They also love to eat various domestic wild bird species and they enjoy the meat of mammals as well.

Check out the video below if you want to find out more about what foxes generally eat.

Are foxes scavengers?

Foxes are scavengers, and some people even see them as pests. They normally love our gardens since they provide various foods and shelter. When they’re hungry they’ll eat just about anything to quell their hunger.

What do red foxes eat?

Red foxes are omnivores, so their diet is plant-based and meat-based. These animals are opportunistic feeders that primarily feed on lizards, rodents, small mammals, lagomorphs, rabbits, grasshoppers, earthworms, fish, mice, fruits, and berries. They also eat various types of grasses and grains.

Conclusion

Foxes are omnivores, despite the popular belief of people that they are carnivores and survive only on meat. They eat both meat-based and plant-based foods like, for example, forest berries, grains, seeds, and grasses.

Besides these commonly consumed plant-based foods, they also love to eat eggs every once in a while.

Wouter

Wouter is a passionate animal-related blogger who enjoys researching and writing about animal-related topics.

Recent Posts

error: Content is protected !!