Dominance, gender, and season influence food patch use in a group-living, solitary foraging canid

Abstract

Lay SummaryRed foxes thrive in towns and cities, where much of their food is deliberately provided by humans. We studied fox foraging behavior using camera traps in residential gardens where householders regularly fed foxes. Predictable feeding patterns attracted foxes to gardens, females were more efficient foragers than males, and dominant foxes enjoyed priority access to food, so that subordinates had to adopt compensatory strategies. Understanding how foxes exploit resources may help address conflicts in urban areas.