Temporal, spatial and individual variation in the diet of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central New South Wales

Abstract

This study describes temporal, spatial and individual variation in the diet of 255 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) collected from agricultural land in central New South Wales from July 1994 to November 1996. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), sheep (Ovis aries), eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and invertebrates were the most important food items overall. Significant seasonal variations, and sex and age differences between foxes occurred in the consumption of some food types. Some temporal synchrony was also evident, with different individuals often eating similar foods on the same night. This may have been related to moonlight. On full moon nights, foxes ate rabbits and small mammals significantly less often than during other moon phases. The management implications of variation in diet are discussed.