On our hobby farm where raising rabbits is our passion, we’ve come across a few sneaky predators that threaten our bunnies. Some of them you may be familiar with such as some birds of prey and resourceful racoons.
But what about those small and feisty, red or gray animals that have adapted to country and city living so well; that’s right, we are talking about foxes.
Do foxes eat rabbits?
Yes, foxes do eat rabbits. In fact, foxes eat rabbits quite often as rabbits are a natural part of the foxes’ diet. So whether you have a homestead or are raising your pet rabbit in the suburbs, be aware of these rabbit predators!
What Do Foxes Eat
To understand why foxes are such great rabbit predators you must realize that, as Woodland Trust states, small rodents, birds, and other mammals make up a large part of their diet. These hunters also enjoy berries and some plant materials, but the large part of their daily diet is filled by small game.
Do Red Foxes Eat Rabbits
Red foxes, as well as gray foxes, eat rabbits. In fact, these two types of foxes are distant cousins and share a very similar diet. That said, it is important to note that gray foxes are naturally smaller than red foxes.
As such, gray foxes are more prone to hunt smaller (aka immature or baby) rabbits. That isn’t to say your mature and adult rabbits are safe from this predator! Rather, we recommend being vigilant with all your bunnies, especially your young rabbits.
Do Foxes Eat The Whole Rabbit
Yes, foxes can eat the whole rabbit! While large bones and most of the fur may be avoided, if they ingest any they will later expel these indigestible leftovers in their droppings.
Can Foxes Smell Rabbits
There is evidence that suggests a fox’s sense of smell isn’t very strong, and we at Hobby Farm Heaven doubt whether a fox would be able to locate our rabbits based ONLY on smell.
However, foxes’ sense of hearing is incredibly adapted to the hunting they perform on a daily basis. Their large ears catch even the slightest russell made by a small mammal. For this reason, we believe that foxes will be able to locate your rabbits based on the noise they make.
How to Keep Foxes Away
When protecting your farmstead or pet rabbits from foxes it is important to note a few characteristics of this predator:
- Foxes Are Most Active At Night – foxes are primarily nocturnal, mostly moving, hunting, and feeding at night.
- Predator Size vs Prey Size – A fox will only attack prey which it feels it can overpower. Therefore, your smaller, defenseless and weaker bunnies are at more risk of a fox attack than strong, adult rabbits.
Without a doubt, foxes are formidable foes to your rabbits. However, we have found that by practicing a few good habits the chance of a fox preying on your rabbits plummets!
How to Keep Foxes Away From Rabbits
Foxes are opportunistic hunters. This means you must be smart and sure about a few things when it comes to your rabbits:
- Ensure there are no holes in the floor, top, or walls of your rabbit’s hutch or house – any gap, no matter how small, can lead to immediate access for a fox. We recommend patching any gaps immediately!
- Place your rabbit’s hutch or house above the ground – make sure it is at least 2-3ft high in a clear area, using thin but sturdy legs. Having your hutch above the ground will discourage foxes from hunting your rabbit.
- Do not let your rabbits roam at night – we enjoy giving our rabbits outside time in a protected rabbit yard during the day, but always bring them back to their hutches well before nightfall to avoid night-time hunters.
In addition, if at all possible, it is great to house your rabbits inside! A hutch or house inside a well-sealed barn, garage, or house will make it very unlikely that a fox can locate and hunt your bunny.
Remember, rabbits are naturally crepuscular, which means they prefer to be active during the earliest and latest twilights. Now while foxes are primarily nocturnal, it is wise to realize that these predators can be out and about during early morning and before night falls.
As such, take care with choosing where and when your rabbits can roam freely!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Does Fox Eat Rabbit
Do Foxes Eat Wild Rabbits?
Without a doubt foxes eat wild rabbits. THey may even eat a rabbit a day, if they are lucky. This is why your domestic rabbits must be kept safe from hungry foxes.
What Animal Eats A Rabbit?
Other common rabbit predators include:
You may have heard of these common animals being rabbit predators, if not, be sure to check out the post about each one by clicking the links! As very adaptable hunters, foxes can be found in the country as well as suburban and urban settings. For this reason, they are a serious predator of your domestic rabbits.
Final Thoughts on Does Fox Eat Rabbit
We highly recommend housing your rabbits well and tending to your adult and immature rabbits closely during outdoor hours. This will ensure that an opportunistic fox won’t walk off with your rabbit in its mouth, much like this suburban fox!