Abundance and summer occupancy of Arctic fox, Alopex lagopus, and red fox, Vulpes vulpes, dens in the northern Yukon Territory 1984- 1990

Abstract

A total of 32 fox dens were known to exist on Herschel Island in 1990. The few dens located before 1986 were generally larger and, therefore, more likely to be natal than dens found in later years. When proportions of natal dens were compared between years using dens sampled each year from 1986-1990 proportions of natal Arctic fox dens were substantially higher in 1988 (18.8%) and 1990 (18.8%) than in 1986 (6.3%), 1987 (6.3%), and in 1989 (3.1%). On the Yukon coastal Plain, 32 dens were identified during a preliminary survey in 1984, while an aerial stratified random block sampling census in 1987 yielded a total estimate of 50-63 dens (90% C.I.). One natal Arctic fox den was found during each of 1985 and 1988, and one red fox natal den was observed in 1985, 1988, and 1989. -from Authors