Rabbits
Rabbits often eat the upper, more palatable portions of foxtail plants. Young, smaller rabbits may consume large amounts if foxtail is the only available forage.
Birds
Game birds, especially grouse, primarily consume foxtail seeds. Some game bird diets can consist of over 50 percent foxtail.
Cattle and Other Large Animals
If other palatable forages are unavailable, cows and horses will eat foxtail. Cattle consume leaves and seed heads but not the awn. Young animals are especially susceptible to damage from this plant, and consumption can cause “foxtail mouth,” resulting in sores in the mouth and esophagus.
Grasshoppers and Other Insects
Grasshoppers, particularly the two-striped grasshopper, consume foxtail seeds. Other insects, including aphids, mites, and moths, also feed on foxtail.