Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
chased him and where he lived, and he was taunting poor Nate, whom he clearly regarded as no threat
at all!
Fox kits are vulnerable to a number of predators, such as hawks and owls. Adults, however, have
few enemies other than man—and human predation is at a rather low level. The most serious obstacle
faced by the red fox may be the spread of the coyote throughout the United States and much of Canada.
Coyotes don't like foxes and will kill them whenever they can, although most of their predation is on
fox kits. The number of foxes killed by coyotes is relatively small, though; the major damage is done
by coyotes usurping what was formerly red fox territory and driving the foxes out.
Various studies have confirmed that coyotes guard their territory against foxes and force them out.
This by no means forecasts the elimination of the fox, because the foxes manage to find territories in
the interstices between coyote territories. Rather, it signifies a shift in the balance of predators, with the
foxes replaced to some degree by coyotes.
Despite the pressure from coyotes, the red fox is adaptable enough to continue thriving in many
areas. In some instances they've moved closer to human dwellings; apparently they've learned that in
general the wary coyotes, despite exceptions in some heavily settled areas, are less apt to locate their
territories in proximity to human activities. Since it has relatively few enemies and considerable adapt-
ability, we can look forward to seeing this especially lovely and thoroughly atypical member of the dog
tribe.
Coyote
