Swift fox survival and production in southeastern Wyoming

Journal of Mammalogy
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Abstract

We estimated annual survival rates of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) and documented number of young per pair in a transition zone between shortgrass prairie and sagebrush steppe plant communities in southeastern Wyoming during 1996-2000. Annual adult survival ranged from 40% to 69%, with predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) the primary cause of deaths. Two foxes died of canine distemper virus. Annual survival rates did not differ among years (P>0.12). Nineteen of 24 (79%) swift fox pairs were observed with young over 3 years. Mean minimum litter size was 4.6 based on these 19 litters and 6 others not associated with our radiocollared foxes. Adult survival was similar and litter size slightly larger than observed elsewhere in the species range, suggesting that viable swift fox populations can be supported by sagebrush steppe and shortgrass prairie transition habitat.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Swift fox survival and production in southeastern Wyoming
Series title Journal of Mammalogy
DOI 10.1644/1545-1542(2002)083<0199:SFSAPI>2.0.CO;2
Volume 83
Issue 1
Year Published 2002
Language English
Publisher American Society of Mammalogists
Description 8 p.
First page 199
Last page 206
Country United States
State Wyoming
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