Hierarchical development, agonistic behaviours, and growth rates in captive arctic fox

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Wakely, L. G., Mallory, F. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1988
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic; Eskimo Point; Canada; Alopex lagopus; Arctic Fox; eskimo*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z88-241; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z88-241

Six arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) kits were captured during July 1985 near Eskimo Point, N.W.T., and housed in large outside pens at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Growth rates indicated that the species is sexually dimorphic: adult males were 7.5% larger than females. Juvenile hierarchies were nonlinear and dominant individuals were associated with neither a particular sex nor weight class. However, after fall equinox when animals had reached adult size, hierarchies became linear, and the dominant individuals were the heaviest males. Analysis of agonistic interactions indicated that the species has a rich repertoire of visual signals, which it employs to denote status and intent. These signals, ranging along a continuum from aggression to appeasement, were employed to maintain hierarchial organization and access to limited resources such as food. The results are discussed in relation to current theories on the sociality and population dynamics of the species.