Arctic fox, Alopex lagopus, den densities in the Prudhoe Bay oil field, Alaska

Abstract

Studies conducted in the Prudhoe Bay, Alaska area since the 1970s suggested that Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) populations may have increased as a result of oil field development. During 1993, we estimated fox den densities within the Prudhoe Bay area and compared our estimates with those made previously in the same area and from other Arctic areas. The number of natal fox dens was stable between 1992 (n = 25) and 1993 (n = 26), as was mean litter size (4.6 and 4.4 pups per litter in 1992 and 1993, respectively). Fox den density was greater (1/15.2 km2) within developed areas than on adjacent undeveloped tundra (1/28.1 km2), and foxes used culverts and road embankments as den sites in addition to natural dens. Densities of fox dens in Prudhoe Bay development area and adjacent tundra were within the range of density estimates found in other Arctic areas.