Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Dispersal Patterns of Red Foxes Relative to Population Density
Stephen H. Allen and Alan B. Sargeant
Abstract: Factors affecting red fox (Vulpes vulpes) dispersal
patterns are poorly understood but warranted investigation because of the role
of dispersal in rebuilding depleted populations and transmission of diseases.
We examined dispersal patterns of red foxes in North Dakota based on recoveries
of 363 of 854 foxes tagged as pups and relative to fox density. Foxes were recovered
up to 8.6 years after tagging; 79% were trapped or shot. Straight-line distances
between tagging and recovery locations ranged from 0 to 302 km. Mean recovery
distances increased with age and were greater for males than females, but longest
individual recovery distances were by females. Dispersal distances were not
related to population density for males (P = 0.36) or females (P
= 0.96). The proportion of males recovered that dispersed was inversely related
to population density (r = -0.94; n = 5; P = 0.02), but
not the proportion of females (r = -0.49; n = 5; P = 0.40).
Dispersal directions were not uniform for either males (P = 0.003) or
females (P = 0.006); littermates tended to disperse in similar directions
(P = 0.09). A 4-lane interstate highway altered dispersal directions
(P = 0.001). Dispersal is a strong innate behavior of red foxes (especially
males) that results in many individuals of both sexes traveling far from natal
areas. Because dispersal distance was unaffected by fox density, populations
can be rebuilt and diseases transmitted long distances regardless of fox abundance.
This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication
0864):
Allen, Stephen H., and Alan B. Sargeant. 1993. Dispersal Patterns of Red
Foxes Relative to Population Density. Journal of Wildlife Management
57(3):526-533.
This resource should be cited as:
Allen, Stephen H., and Alan B. Sargeant. 1993. Dispersal Patterns of Red
Foxes Relative to Population Density. Journal of Wildlife Management
57(3):526-533. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/mammals/foxdisp/index.htm
(Version 13JUN2001).
Table of Contents
Stephen H. Allen, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 North
Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501
Alan B. Sargeant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Prairie
Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND 58401
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