Title

Use of Cover and Response to Cover Type Edges by Female Sierra Nevada Red Foxes in Winter

Author Info

John F. Benson, Humboldt State University
John D. Perrine, University of California - BerkeleyFollow
Richard T. Golightly Jr., Humboldt State University
Reginald H. Barrett, University of California - Berkeley

Recommended Citation

Published in Western North American Naturalist, Volume 65, Issue 1, January 1, 2005, pages 127-130.

NOTE: At the time of publication, the author John D. Perrine was not yet affiliated with Cal Poly.

Abstract

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) use a variety of habitats across their range, including semiarid deserts, tundra, boreal forests, farmland, and urban areas (Larivière and Pasitschniak-Arts 1996). Within these habitats there is much variation in the use of different cover types among populations of red foxes (Jones and Theberge 1982, Halpin and Bissonette 1988, Theberge and Wedeles 1989, St-Georges et al. 1995). In Maine, red foxes used coniferous stands and open areas more than expected (Halpin and Bissonette 1988). In British Columbia, red foxes used shrub communities more than expected and open areas less than expected (Jones and Theberge 1982). In the Yukon Territory, red foxes used shrub habitats more than forests or open areas (Theberge and Wedeles 1989). Edge habitat, between forest and shrub stands, was important for red foxes in Quebec (St-Georges et al. 1995). Variation in use of cover by this species necessitates populationspecific studies of red fox habitat relations for use in conservation and management.

Disciplines

Biology

Copyright

2005 Western North American Naturalist Publications.