Variation in the diet of foxes in Scotland

Abstract

Differences in the diet of foxes between regions of Scotland, and changes with season and from year to year are described from stomach and scat contents. Rabbits and game birds are the main prey in North-east Scotland. Short-tailed voles form the main prey during the autumn and winter in the West, with sheep and lambs being most important in the spring. In the North-west deer is more frequent in the diet. Voles and rabbits vary in their occurrence in stomachs and scats depending upon population fluctuations. In the West in spring, lamb remains form from 35 to 45% of the diet and this is discussed in relation to the impact of the fox on agriculture.