Social Factors Affecting Reproduction Amongst Red Foxes

摘要: In some habitats foxes live in social groups comprised of one adult male and several vixens. These occupy territories from which neighbouring are excluded. Elsewhere, territorial pairs but recent research suggests that at least small found many (Abies, 1975, Macdonald, 1980). On Boar’s Hill, Oxfordshire, a rural-suburban habitat where stable between 4–5 adults about 40 hectares, radio-tracking, direct observation, handling during trapping occasional post-mortems all confirmed vixens did not rear cubs (Macdonald, 1979a). For instance, 1974 group consisted three vixens, aged 9, 6, probably 2 years, only the eldest reared cubs. Considering four for I have complete data 1973–74, 6 out 15 (40%) Of these mean 38.75% (S.D. ±15.5) each bred, is or two bred. More fragmentary information other on Hill also suggested There was no evidence cub mortality, suggesting either “barren vixens” conceive embryos reach full term. Lumping 1973, 12 24 studied young. study areas similar observations were made. A observed Ein Gedi (Israel) 1976 bred; within Oxfordshire agricultural land vixen breed 1974, so 1975 after disappearance another who had bred previous year.