mesocarnivores

Mesocarnivores are carnivorous mammals whose diets are intermediate between hypercarnivores and hypocarnivores. In ecologic trophic terms, meat generally accounts for about 50-70% of their diet, with substantial consumption of plant matter, carrion, insects, or other animal prey when available. This opportunistic feeding strategy allows mesocarnivores to exploit diverse habitats and seasonal resources. They often function as mid-level predators, preying on small- to medium-sized vertebrates and scavenging, while occasionally consuming fruits or seeds.

Commonly cited examples include the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and several mustelids and canids; regional lists vary. Coyotes (Canis latrans) are sometimes classified as mesocarnivores depending on diet in a given area.

Ecology and behavior: Their generalist tendencies allow them to colonize forests, grasslands, and human-modified landscapes, including agricultural and urban areas. They often have high reproductive rates and wide geographic ranges, which, along with flexible foraging, contribute to persistence amid habitat change. They may compete with larger predators and can bring them into conflict with humans through predation on poultry or disease concerns, though they also help control pests.

Conservation and management: Mesocarnivores are typically not as highly persecuted as apex predators but may be subject to hunting, trapping, or habitat loss. Conservation considerations focus on maintaining habitat connectivity, reducing attractants in developed areas, and balancing human–predator interactions.