Environmental factors influencing the use of habitat in the red fox, Vulpes vulpes

摘要: The seasonal variation in habitat selection and its determinants were assessed weekly for a sample of three dog-foxes two vixens an ecotonal area the Tuscan coast, Italy. most utilized habitats maquis (scrubwood), meadows pinewood. In cold season was preferred to any other habitat, but warm months foxes made extensive use meadows. On hand, no clear pattern detectable Food habits showed variation: juniper berries staple food, forming by far greatest part diet during whole study, except late spring through midsummer, when beetles grasshoppers predominated. Availability indices each main food category calculated on basis. Distribution found be clumped, whereas insects dispersed. It also that former occurred almost entirely pinewood, while latter inhabited mainly and, lesser extent. Measures fox activity taken. correlated well abundance important resources, which turn significantly meteorologic factors (temperature, number rainy days). Surprisingly, pinewood inversely local availability, i.e. berries. This can explained clumpedness this resource which, abundant, allows become quickly satiated retreat other, more such as maquis. Such results caution against assuming time spent is indication proportional feeding dependence it.