What Eats a Gray Fox?

The gray fox is a small member of the canid family that lives in North America, Canada and parts of Central America. It has the distinction of being the only living member of the canid family to be able to climb trees, thanks to its retractable claws. It uses this ability to escape danger but is still vulnerable to a number of predator species.

  1. Coyotes

    • Coyotes are larger cousins of the gray fox.

      In much of the gray fox's range, it is in competition for food with its larger cousin, the coyote. The two animals are similar in length at 39 inches long, from nose to tail. The coyote is heavier and more solidly muscled, growing to 46 pounds. compared to the fox's average of 20 pounds. As well as being a competitor for food, the coyote is a known predator of the fox. A lone coyote is capable of overpowering a fox. Coyotes also hunt in packs, whereas the fox is a solitary animal.

    Bobcat

    • The bobcat is larger and more ferocious than the gray fox.

      The bobcat, as North America's most widespread wildcat, comes into contact with gray foxes. It is a heavier animal, weighing up to 33 pounds, over 10 more than the average fox. It is a known predator of the gray fox and is fully able to kill the smaller animal. Bobcats use stealth to catch prey, sneaking up close before pouncing. The cat feeds mainly on small mammals such as rabbits or deer as well as reptiles and birds, but if it came across a fox it would kill and eat it.

    Golden Eagle

    • The golden eagle is able to carry off large animals such as the gray fox.

      The golden eagle lives along the West Coast of the U.S., sharing home range with the gray fox. It grows to 33 inches in height with a wingspan of 86 inches and weighs up to 10 pounds, on average. It is a large, predatory bird that is capable of killing animals as large as coyotes, seals and badgers. It is a known predator of the gray fox and is able to take adults, but most often hunts young foxes.

    Great Horned Owl

    • The great horned owl is a large nocturnal bird of prey.

      The golden eagle is a danger during the day for the gray fox, and at the night the great horned owl becomes a threat. It grows to 19 inches tall with a wingspan of 55 inches and weighs up to 3 pounds. It feeds mainly on small mammals such as rabbits and squirrels as well as a range of birds, both wild and domestic. An adult gray fox may not be targeted by the owl, but a young pup or small fox can be carried off by the large, nocturnal bird.