Body sizes, ages, reproductive status, and sex ratios of Arctic Foxes, Alopex lagopus, in the Prudhoe Bay oil field, Alaska

Abstract

Due to public safety concerns about exposure to rabies by Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus) in the Prudhoe Bay oil field, Alaska the fox population was reduced in 1994. Ninety-nine foxes were killed during January-February 1994; 59% were males and 41% were females. Eighty-nine percent of the foxes were juveniles. The large proportion of juveniles may reflect a skewed age structure with relatively few adults, but it could also represent a capture bias towards juveniles. Male foxes were longer and heavier than female foxes.