Denning and home-range characteristics of breeding arctic foxes in Svalbard
Home range, den density, and use of dens of arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in Svalbard were investigated through systematic den surveys, ear tagging of pups, and tracking of radio-collared animals. The mean home range for three breeding vixens was 48 km 2 . Home-range estimates based on occupied dens...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Canadian Science Publishing
1992
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z92-178 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z92-178 |
| Summary: | Home range, den density, and use of dens of arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in Svalbard were investigated through systematic den surveys, ear tagging of pups, and tracking of radio-collared animals. The mean home range for three breeding vixens was 48 km 2 . Home-range estimates based on occupied dens were between 46 and 75 km 2 . This is larger than recorded for arctic foxes elsewhere, and may be related to the absence of small mammals and, consequently, to a more scattered prey base in Svalbard. Home-range size was apparently not related to variations in the availability of food among years or among seasons. The density of all dens recorded was 1/24 km 2 . As a consequence of landscape patterns, these dens were more clustered than if they were randomly dispersed. However, dens with litters in 1986 (1 den/75 km 2 ) were more widely spaced than if randomly distributed, indicating territoriality among arctic foxes. Most dens were in use throughout the year. Some litters were relocated or subdivided among several dens. |
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