Den ecology of the Arctic fox in northern Alaska

During July and August 1962, 50 Arctic fox dens were studied on The Teshekpuk Lake Section of the Alaskan Arctic Slope. Depth to permafrost and soil texture govern location of fox dens in low. ice-core mounds with a minimum mound height of 1 m necessary for the establishment of a successful den. Soi...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Author: Chesemore, David L.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1969
Subjects:
Ice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z69-021
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z69-021
Description
Summary:During July and August 1962, 50 Arctic fox dens were studied on The Teshekpuk Lake Section of the Alaskan Arctic Slope. Depth to permafrost and soil texture govern location of fox dens in low. ice-core mounds with a minimum mound height of 1 m necessary for the establishment of a successful den. Soil temperatures at den sites were higher than those in nearby non-den habitats. The presence of the fox den alters plant growth near the burrow, changing the typical tundra community into a lush, vigorous one dominated by grasses.