Fox
The fox is an opportunistic carnivorous predator. It can consume over 6,000 rodents of all species (voles, field mice, etc.) per year.
Description
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a carnivorous mammal of the canidae family. It is found throughout France. It measures between 50 and 90 cm. It has a long head, narrow muzzle and large ears. Its coat is uniformly reddish, with occasional shades of grey.
Signs of presence
In its territory, the fox leaves dog-like footprints that are smaller.
Foxes take refuge in burrows. These have an opening diameter of around 20 to 25 cm. When the burrow is frequented, a strong odour can be smelt at the entrance. Meal remains and droppings are also frequently seen around burrows, especially when young are being reared.
Its droppings are grey-black and often contain hair, feathers, bones and fruit seeds. They are 8 to 10 cm long and around 2 cm in diameter.
Habitat
The fox has a very varied habitat. It thrives just as well in vast flat areas as in much more forested and mountainous environments, and even coastal areas. They are also increasingly found on the outskirts of towns and cities, where they find tranquillity and food. In our regions, it prefers semi-open areas (hedgerows, borders, coppices, etc.).
Its territory varies from 400 to 500 ha on average.
Breeding
The rut takes place in January-February. Gestation lasts around 53 days. The fox breeds once a year, with 4 to 5 young born in April-May.
The cubs are suckled for 8 weeks. Their mother will then bring them small prey (voles, field mice). The fox reaches sexual maturity at around 8-10 months.
Diet
The fox's diet is highly varied. The fox is a generalist and opportunistic predator. It consumes small mammals(voles, rabbits, etc.), birds, eggs, young animals (deer fawns, lambs, etc.) and even carrion, fruit and insects.
It was found that there wasno link between fox densities and ground vole populations, and no relationship between ground vole densities and breeding characteristics (number and weight of young).
Role in vole dynamics (ground and field)
A proportional relationship was observed between the availability of ground voles and their consumption by foxes.
The proportion of terrestrial voles in the fox's diet is high when the density of terrestrial voles in the field is high (above 300 individuals/ha).
Conversely, the field vole is consumed at a very high level, even at low densities, and no proportionality is demonstrated.
These results suggest a functional response by the fox for each of the two voles :
- opportunistic feeding of the terrestrial vole
- food preference and/or better accessibility for the field vole.
Restoring a balance
To ensure or restore a certain balance between predators and prey, it is possible to limit hunting and destruction pressure on the red fox, particularly in areas that are favourable to voles.
The hedgerow network provides breeding grounds, shelter and food sources for many vole predators.
Appendices
Sources and references
- https://www.fredon-auvergne.fr/IMG/pdf/BSV_CT-2015-03_N43.pdf
- https://www.fredon-auvergne.fr/IMG/pdf/BSV_CT-2011-07_N14.pdf
- " Le guide du piégeur Le campagnol terrestre, éditions Quae
