Habitat and area use by red fox Vulpes vulpes vixens in mid-Norway

Abstract

During 1990 - 91, area and habitat use of three red fox Vulpes vulpes vixens were monitored by radiotelemetry in a mixed cultivated and coniferous forest in the county of Sør-Trøndelag, central Norway. When resting, the vixens occurred mostly in dense and mature spruce forest. In contrast, mixed forest and more open habitats also were visited during hunting. On average, the area used was 4.97 km2 (min. 2.03 km2 - max. 10.24 km2). We propose that individual difference in area use reflect differences in food supply, but breeding behaviour and the restricted mobility associated with it may also play a part.