Foxes & Acorns?

[Paddy_SP]

I was called in to help out with a problem at a local farm yesterday after a fox raided in broad daylight (mid-morning).

I went over after dark and rather than calling (because of over-use in the area) I decided on a more covert approach. Skulking around with the thermal imager, I soon found that the first field was clear of vulpine inhabitants. Moving through the (luckily open) gate into the next field, I started the process over again - the ground is very hilly there, and falls away quite dramatically into wet woodland that lies astride a brook.

Consequently, it took me some time to check all the various nooks and crannies, but after a while I spotted a suspiciously shaped white heat source at the foot of an oak tree. I couldn't see it through the NV though, as there was a rise in the ground halfway across that reflected the IR back at me. Moving forward a bit solved this, and with clear sight line I saw that about 130 yards away there was a fox nosing around in the grass. I waited my moment and squeezed off a shot - a loud thump suggested a good hit.

After navigating the steep incline and swarthy grass I got close enough to see the carcass lying exactly where I shot it - it proved to be a large dog fox, but what amazed me was that it appeared to have been eating acorns, as there were numerous empty shells lying around.

Now - I'm well aware of wild boar and deer eating them, but I've not heard of this behaviour from a fox before, indeed, if I'd been asked I'd have thought they were probably toxic. So - I'd be really interested to hear from anyone else who has thoughts on the matter!

 

[SussexFallow]

Only one way to be sure Paddy !!

 

[JTO]

In late summer, I usually find plum stones in fox muck. I have always assumed it is nature's way of getting rid of stomach worms, as there are often dead worms present. Perhaps acorns work the same.

 

[Cyres]

Did you have a look inside? I would of thought unlikely more likely to be picking up beetles and alike but it would be nice to know. We haven't got many acorns up here this year.

Also my friends have seen a lame fox about that may need your services!!!!

D

 

[Paddy_SP]

Thanks for your comments, Gentlemen - I didn't fancy cutting the fox open at the time as it was in an awkward place and very dark!

Regarding the worms thing - that is an interesting thought, and one I shall ponder!

 

[bogtrotter]

As far as the plum stones don't think its a worm thing ,there's not that much that a fox won't eat, they are quite fond of fruit on the hill when the Blae berries are in fruit the droppings are stained purple, also they are attracted to the gardens at this time of year windfall fruit is soon picked up plums seem to be a favorite but other soft fruit also,I have seen a fox plucking brambles from the bush.
Acorns I don't know have never seen any evidence of it, but I would not be in the least surprised if it was the case.

 

[SussexFallow]

One i I shot a few weeks ago. Last week I had another that was chomping on an apple. Seen them jumping into plum trees but never acorns. I would have had to find out.

 

[shakey jake]

I wondered if you had a recipe that was worth a try

 

[Paddy_SP]

Yes, foxes are certainly adaptable - I've seen them eating apples, brambles, bunnies, chickens, lambs, lamb dung, both sheep and cow afterbirth, pheasants, nestlings, frogs, crane flies, moths, mice, rats, overspill from bird tables, roadkill badgers, and so on. But I've never seen them eat acorns before. A couple of American websites seem to think it's common, but I'm not so sure. Maybe they taste better over there!

 

[Arbshot]

I have regularly shot foxes under a large oak tree all year round (too many to count over 20 years!),
I always assumed the spot was attractive as it has plenty of mouse holes and an old oak is a host to numerous
beetles, bugs etc

 

[griffshrek]

Paddy you've got me thinking , I've bagged quite a few mouching about around oak trees .

 

[Pheasant Feeder]

Interesting, there's huggings of oak trees on my ground. I know they are toxic long term to horses but they still eat them.
I frequently see cherry stones in fox droppings, so perhaps it is possible.

 

[parkyboy]

Hi Paddy..hope yr well...my take on it would be if their good enough for Cyril squirrel then also good enough for Charles...google earthing the estate for oak trees as I type lol...Hugh.

 

[John Gryphon]

Aesops Fables..The Fox and the Grapes

 

[Paddy_SP]

Hi Paddy..hope yr well...my take on it would be if their good enough for Cyril squirrel then also good enough for Charles...google earthing the estate for oak trees as I type lol...Hugh.

I'm well thank you! As for the squirrel issue - rodents are often immune to things that are toxic to other creatures, but I wasn't at all sure about foxes and the tannins contained in acorns.

 

[Morgy]

What do foxes eat? Red foxes have a varied diet. They do need to eat meat for proper nourishment but they also eat what is available. In the summer, red foxes will eat corn, berries, apples, grasses, acorns, and cherries. During the winter they feed on small mammals such as mice, squirrels, and rabbits. They even eat insects! Beetles, caterpillars, crayfish, and crickets make up about a quarter of all of their food. A red fox will hunt and save some of its food in special hiding places called caches. The fox will remember where it hid the food and go back at a later date to find the food.

http://www.wildernessclassroom.com/wilderness-library/red-fox

 

[danban]

I was talking to a farmer a week or two back and he has problems with foxes on his strawberries.
I only found it out as I was asking if he had fox problems with his poultry.
His reply. Never but when the strawberries are in season he shoots 10-20 and that he rarely sees foxes any other time of the year on his land!

 

[Heym SR20]

Acorns, like most nuts are rich in proteins and oils so not surprising foxes eat them - helps lay down fat before the winter. Berries and fruits are full of sugars - little packets of pure energy, again lays down fat prior to winter.

 

[Paddy_SP]

Acorns, like most nuts are rich in proteins and oils so not surprising foxes eat them - helps lay down fat before the winter. Berries and fruits are full of sugars - little packets of pure energy, again lays down fat prior to winter.

I agree that acorns are nutritious, but it was the fact that they're also toxic to many animals that had me thinking!

 

[macfarlane]

Not acorns but I've got Plumtrees in my garden 'I've seen foxys up the trees eating the plums were a pain in the arse this year comeing in eating the windblown plums and crap ping everywhere.I've a broken foot so I couldn't get out an sort them .foots getting a bit better so I've delt with the garden invading ones but due another operation so any pairing up will get left in peace.