Large prey for small cubs ‐ on crucial resources of a boreal red fox population

摘要: finding has been questioned as an artifact due to the different types of sampling. In this paper I suggest that observations were correct and reflected optimal behaviour a central place forager. compared diet foxes by analyses 112 cub scats collected at breeding dens 168 adult during same periods. The study was performed in boreal environment, characterised cyclically fluctuating vole populations. According theory, diets should converge when voles become plentiful. During year low, but increasing, densities, significantly higher proportion large prey found sample from cubs than adults. This not case peak decline year, presumably easily available appeared frequently both argue availability first increasing densities might determine territory size hence also average population density throughout whole cycle foxes.