During the period from 1985 to 1990, radio collars were attached to 61
arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in the coastal region of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
in western Alaska. Radio tracking using hand-held receivers from aircraft, and
from fixed towers was conducted to determine daily and seasonal movements of
foxes. Intensive radio tracking of 18 foxes from May through July indicated
that males used larger areas (x=10.22i??6.18 km2) than females (x=4.57i??1.94 km2)
regardless of breeding status. Generally foxes were relocated near (x=3.4i??2.4
km) their summer home ranges during other seasons of the year. There were no
complex social groups of foxes among the marked population. Foxes did not have
a definitive preference for any plant community, probably because of the even
distribution and abundance of prey throughout all communities. Thirty foxes
were relocated repeatedly during a period of at least 10 months, which included
the denning season of one year and the breeding season of the next. Of 24
confirmed deaths of collared foxes, 16 were caused by shooting or trapping by
local residents and 8 had unidentified causes. Maximum distance moved between
relocations was 48.4 km. Males moved farther from initial capture sites in the
winter following capture than did females, largely because of greater than 20 km
movements by two foxes. There were no seasonal differences in movements between
males and females.
Additional publication details
Publication type:
Article
Publication Subtype:
Journal Article
Title:
Home ranges and movements of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in western Alaska
