Foxes have a versatile diet that includes almost anything smaller than them. Insects, reptiles, and birds are common parts of their meals. In varying climates, foxes adjust to the local wildlife. For instance, South American Crab-Eating Foxes primarily feed on crustaceans and tortoises. It is estimated that red foxes require just over a pound of food daily. When they have extra food from successful hunts, foxes often stash the surplus under leaves or soil. To secure their meals, foxes use a distinctive pouncing technique called “mousing”.
The provided video demonstrates how a fox positions itself to blend in before leaping up with its hind legs and landing precisely on target. While this athleticism is impressive, how exactly do foxes utilize their senses to hunt so effectively?
Eyes Perfectly Suited for Motion
In addition to vertical slit pupils that aid in hunting in low light, foxes possess semi-retractable claws. Foxes have remarkable adaptations that facilitate hunting small prey. They can hunt at any time of day or night. With their vertically slit pupils, foxes have binocular vision that assists them in hunting in various lighting conditions and focusing keenly on horizontal movement.
Their vertical pupils contain a large number of rod cells, enabling foxes to hunt in dim lighting. However, foxes are somewhat nearsighted. Research indicates that they struggle to discern stationary objects clearly but excel at detecting the smallest movements.
Keen Hunting Abilities
Thanks to their sharp carnassial teeth, foxes can easily tear through tough flesh. Unlike dogs, foxes do not heavily rely on their sense of smell to locate prey. They prioritize vision and hearing. Their ears can move independently, rotating up to 150 degrees in one direction. Foxes’ ears connect to their skulls through a porous chamber known as the tympanic bulla, aiding them in hearing low-frequency sounds produced by small prey. Sound is also crucial for fox communication, allowing interaction with other foxes over both short and long distances.
Foxes also depend on their tactile senses to locate their next meal, particularly utilizing their whiskers. Vibrissae, long and rigid whiskers on their muzzles and forelegs, provide vital information about their body position during hunting. Like cats and dogs, foxes possess highly sensitive foot pads, aiding them in navigating challenging terrains such as narrow fences and tree branches.
Ingenious Instincts
A study discovered that foxes exhibit a higher hunting success rate when facing due north. One of the most intriguing tools in the fox’s skill set is its extraordinary electromagnetic sensitivity. Research from the Czech University of Life Sciences and the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany suggests that foxes can perceive the earth’s geomagnetic field and potentially use it to locate prey.
The study proposes that “mousing red foxes may utilize the magnetic field as a ‘range finder’ or targeting system to
It assists them in determining the distance to their next meal. This is why foxes are such adept hunters! View the Video by clicking here. This article was originally published on A-Z Animals and is titled “The Stealthy World of Foxes: Nature’s Nimble Hunters.”
