The Food Habits of the Red Fox and Gray Fox in Louisiana with Notes on Reproduction and Parasitism

Abstract

Stomach contents of 54 red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) and 20 gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were examined to detennine food habits, In both species, rodents, rabbits (Sylvilagus sp .), insects, and blackberries (Rubus sp.) were the most frequently occurring foods. There were no cases of predation on iame birds other than 1 Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) found in a red fox from Cameron Parish. Only 1 occurrence of predation on domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) and 2 occurrences of predation on domestic goat (Capra hircus) were noted. The reproductive condition of females of both species was examined. The average number of placental scars in 19 female red foxes was 5,J and ranged from 2 to 8. The average number of placental scars in 7 female gray foxes was 3,9 and ranged from 2 to 7, Ages of 23 red foxes ranged from 1 to 4 years based on cementum annuli counts. The average age was 1,53 years. Only 4 gray foxes, 3 that were 1 year old and 1 that was J years old, were aged. Heartwonns (Dirofilaria immitis) were found in 5 of Jl red foxes and 2 of 20 gray foxes, Stomach worms (Physaloptera sp.) were present in 4 red foxes and 1 gray fox