What does a fox or coyote eat?

Both foxes and coyotes are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they'll eat a wide variety of foods depending on what's available. Here's a breakdown of their diets:

Foxes:

* Primary food sources: Small mammals (mice, voles, rabbits, squirrels), birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles.

* Other foods: Fruits, berries, vegetables, carrion (dead animals), garbage.

* Specific examples:

* Red Fox: Known for its diverse diet, including a significant amount of fruit.

* Arctic Fox: Primarily eats lemmings, but also scavenges for carrion and seabird eggs.

* Gray Fox: Eats a lot of fruit and insects, but also hunts small animals.

Coyotes:

* Primary food sources: Small mammals (rabbits, squirrels, mice, voles), deer fawns, birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles.

* Other foods: Fruits, berries, vegetables, carrion, garbage.

* Specific examples:

* Eastern Coyote: Often eats deer, but will also take advantage of other food sources like fruit.

* Western Coyote: Similar diet to the Eastern coyote, but may have more access to rabbits and other small mammals.

Similarities:

* Both foxes and coyotes are adaptable and opportunistic eaters, readily adjusting their diets to the food sources available in their environment.

* They are considered scavengers, meaning they will eat carrion (dead animals) when other options are scarce.

* They are known to raid garbage and other human-related food sources.

Differences:

* Foxes tend to have smaller prey items than coyotes.

* Coyotes are more likely to hunt larger prey, such as deer.

* Foxes are more likely to eat fruit than coyotes.

It's important to remember that the specific diet of a fox or coyote will vary depending on its location, the time of year, and the availability of food.