As I drove into our Colorado farm this morning, a juvenile red fox ran across the driveway. I initially assumed he had been hunting mice in our front pasture and was scared off by my truck but, within seconds, I learned that assumption was wrong. Close on his trail was a coyote and the high speed chase circled through our property. As they approached a back, enclosed corner, I figured it was all over for the fox; but, once again, I was wrong. Clearly familiar with our farm and having learned escape routes from his parents, the fox scaled a six foot fence, using a wood pile and lower tree limbs. Less agile, the coyote stared at the fence for awhile and then loped away.
Coyotes generally feed on mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, porcupine, skunk and other small mammals. They also consume birds such as grouse and wild turkey and eat a variety of berries. On occasion, especially when hunting in pairs, they may kill small deer, goats and sheep; carrion is an important food source during the winter. While this attack on a fox may have been purely opportunistic, I have found the remains of fox on the farm in the past and have no doubt that a coyote was responsible.
The fact that such an event occured on our 3-acre Littleton farm is yet another example of shrinking natural habitat. While fox and coyotes have adapted well to suburban landscapes, their usual prey is less readily available. Pet owners beware!
