Many smaller marsupials have become extinct as a result. Some introduced animals such as cats, foxes, rats and dogs attack and kill, maim and spread disease amongst both young and adult wildlife. Australian native animals are at a distinct disadvantage when confronted with many introduced animals. Foxes Foxes are typical of many feral animals which have natural advantages over many native animals because of their superior defence, hunting abilities and higher reproduction rates. Recent Survey work in Northern Sydney has found that foxes kill the majority of native animals.
Foxes are opportunistic feeders.
They can survive where dingoes and cats starve. This is because the fox can survive on insects and native fruits such as the Geebung. The average lifespan for a fox is ten years in which time it may kill 3,000 animals. Foxes have no natural predators in Australia, apart from man. However, foxes are not being hunted extensively because of the low value of their pelts.