Short communication, Note
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2023.32.36
A fox on the hunt: red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was able to subdue and kill an adult coypu (Myocastor coypus) in a protected site in south-eastern Bulgaria
Teodora Koynova
; Department of Biology, University of Shumen, Universitetska 115, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria
*
Radoslav Tsvetkov
; Department of Biology, University of Shumen, Universitetska 115, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria
Nikolay Natchev
; Department of Biology, University of Shumen, Universitetska 115, 9700 Shumen, Bulgaria; Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
In the present study, we report on a rare predatory behaviour in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758). In the early evening of 03.03.2023 we detected a red fox attacking and killing a coypu (Myocastor coypus Molina, 1782). We were able to document the event by the use of camera with tele-lens. The red fox was known to feed on smaller prey like insects, smaller rodents, lagomorphs, birds and others. Data on attacks on large and potentially dangerous prey are rather scarce and we discuss on the potential trigger for that predatory behaviour.
Keywords
ecology; feeding; diet; mammal; predator-prey interactions; killing behaviour
Hrčak ID:
312562
URI
Publication date:
30.12.2023.
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