Home-range size and selection of natal den and diurnal shelter sites by urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Melbourne

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive A. Marks ◽  
Tim E. Bloomfield
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Data ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Resource Requirement ◽  
Public Park ◽  
Selection Of

Selection of natal dens and diurnal shelters by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was investigated within the metropolitan area of Melbourne. Of 72 natal dens, 61% were in residential, public park, school or industrial lands. Most dens were beneath buildings (44.4%) or in earth banks (30.6%). The habitat categories in which dens were sited did not differ significantly from those described for London. Dens were more common beneath weatherboard buildings and were associated with properties that did not contain domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Diurnal shelter positions for 20 radio-collared foxes were obtained, and home-range data collected for 11 foxes. Estimated areas of adult home-range, for 100% minimum convex polygons (MCPs), varied between 11.5 and 45.8 ha, with from two to five diurnal shelter sites used in each home-range. Foxes showed a consistent preference for diurnal shelters associated with exotic weed infestations over ornamental and native vegetation or built habitats. Within these categories a diversity of substrates were used, including buildings, drains, graves, cypress trees, ornamental rockeries and garden beds. A preference for exotic weed infestations is an identifiable resource requirement for foxes in Melbourne and its removal may assist in reducing the abundance of urban foxes.

scholarly journals Selection of foraging habitat and diet of the Hoopoe Upupa epops in the mosaic-like cultural landscape of Goričko (NE Slovenia)

Acrocephalus ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (166-167) ◽  
pp. 109-132
Author(s):  
Mojca Podletnik ◽  
Damijan Denac
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Upupa Epops ◽  
Mole Crickets ◽  
Selection Of

In 2012 and 2013, the selection of foraging habitats and the diet of the Hoopoe Upupa epops were studied in the Goričko area, where a significant population decline of the species has been recorded in the past 15 years. Goričko is an area with a well-preserved traditional mosaic-like agricultural landscape very rich in biodiversity which, however, is disappearing. The diet was determined using automatic camera recordings of prey brought to chicks by parents. Mole crickets Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa were the most dominant prey (35.4% frequency and 81.3% biomass of prey), followed by Scarab beetles larvae Scarabaeidae, caterpillars Lepidoptera larvae and True flies Diptera. Feeding frequency was highest in the period of most intensive chick growth (between 8 and 21 days of age). Selection of foraging habitat was researched by observation of birds during foraging. Hoopoes foraged mostly in mown meadows and grassy courtyards and, to a lesser extent, on sandy cart tracks and road edges. These habitats were characterized by low vegetation and patches of bare ground that enabled Hoopoes to forage efficiently. Home range size was determined using minimum convex polygons. The maximum home range size was between 42.9 and 57.7 ha, while the percentage of foraging habitats within the home range did not exceed 18%. Based on our results, we propose the following measures for effective Hoopoe conservation in the area: maintaining the present range of existing unimproved meadows, stopping the conversion of meadows into fields, restoring fields to meadows, prohibiting the use of pesticides targeting Mole crickets.

scholarly journals The Ecology of Red Foxes, Vulpes vulpes, in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario: Disease Management Implications

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Rosatte ◽  
Mike Allan
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Rabies Control

During 1989-1992, 33 Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were fitted with radio-collars in metropolitan Toronto to study their behaviour which would provide data to assist with the design of a rabies control strategy for urban areas of Ontario. Annual home range size for adult foxes (avg = 325 ha, SD = 207) was significantly larger than that of juvenile foxes (avg = 165 ha, SD = 176), but we could not detect any seasonal differences in home range size for foxes. Mean (SD) nightly ranges were 38.3 ha (48.3) in spring, 97.4 ha (115.4) in summer, 26.8 ha (28.5) in fall, and 16.3 ha (13.6) in winter. Movements by foxes during the period from June to November averaged 3.5 km (2.89). Eleven of the foxes were known to have dispersed (? 3 km from their home range), but we could not detect a mean direction of dispersal. Thirty-six percent (4/11) of the foxes dispersed in December and 18% (2/11) dispersed in August, with the remainder dispersing between February and November. Average dispersal distance was 19.3 km (15.6), and a significant negative correlation was detected between initial home range size and dispersal distance of foxes. Mortality of radio-collared foxes was caused by collisions with automobiles, predation, and shooting. Foxes made extensive use of ravines and other greenbelt areas, such as parks and golf courses. Residential areas were also used by some foxes. Knowledge of the habitats frequented by foxes as well as their movement potential assisted researchers in determining where vaccine baits should be placed for the control of rabies in Red Foxes in metropolitan Toronto.

scholarly journals Variation in home range size of red foxes Vulpes vulpes along a gradient of productivity and human landscape alteration

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. e0175291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zea Walton ◽  
Gustaf Samelius ◽  
Morten Odden ◽  
Tomas Willebrand
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Landscape Alteration ◽  
Human Landscape

Summer home range and habitat utilisation of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a tundra habitat, northwest British Columbia

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 807-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Jones ◽  
John B. Theberge
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Spermophilus Parryii ◽  
Arctic Ground Squirrels

Eight adult red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were radio tracked during the summers of 1978 and 1979 in an alpine and subalpine environment of northwest British Columbia. The spatial distributions of small mammals (mice, voles, and shrews) and arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) were ascertained to complement the telemetric study. Summer home ranges averaged 1611 ha (range = 277–3420 ha) and were larger than vulpine ranges in temperate environments. Significant habitat selection was evident in five of the seven home ranges that were examined. Salix shrub communities were preferred habitats, whereas, open lichen – Empetrum and fen communities were avoided. Relative densities of small mammals and arctic ground squirrels varied significantly among plant communities. Possible explanations, considering the diet of the fox and the spatial distribution of its prey, are offered to account for the observed patterns of home-range size and habitat utilisation.

Breeding-Season Survival, Home-Range Size, and Habitat Selection of Female Bachman's Sparrows

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Y. Choi ◽  
Alexander C. Fish ◽  
Christopher E. Moorman ◽  
Christopher S. DePerno ◽  
Jessica M. Schillaci
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Selection Of

scholarly journals Adaptations of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) to urban environments in Sydney, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Gil-Fernández ◽  
Robert Harcourt ◽  
Thomas Newsome ◽  
Alison Towerton ◽  
Alexandra Carthey
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Sydney Australia ◽  
Site Types

Abstract With urban encroachment on wild landscapes accelerating globally, there is an urgent need to understand how wildlife is adapting to anthropogenic change. We compared the behaviour of the invasive red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at eight urban and eight peri-urban areas of Sydney, Australia. We observed fox behaviour around a lure and compared fox activity patterns to those of potential prey and to two domestic predators (dogs—Canis lupus familiaris and cats—Felis catus). We assessed the influence of site type, vegetation cover, and distance from habitation on fox behaviour, and compared the temporal activity patterns of urban and peri-urban red foxes. Urban red foxes were marginally more nocturnal than those in peri-urban areas (88% activity overlap). There was greater overlap of red fox activity patterns with introduced mammalian prey in urban areas compared with peri-urban areas (90% urban vs 84% peri-urban). Red fox temporal activity overlapped 78% with cats, but only 20% with dogs, across both site types. The high degree of overlap with cats and introduced mammalian prey is most likely explained by the nocturnal behaviour of these species, while pet dogs are generally kept in yards or indoors at night. The behavioural differences we documented by urban red foxes suggest they may adapt to human modifications and presence, by being more nocturnal and/or more confident in urban areas.

scholarly journals Stopover Ecology and Habitat Selection of Juvenile Swainson's Thrushes During Fall Migration Along the Northern California Coast

The Condor ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 795-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Tietz ◽  
Matthew D. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Northern California ◽  
Catharus Ustulatus ◽  
California Coast ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract We investigated selection of stopover habitat by juvenile Swainson's Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) during fall migration at a site along the northern California coast. The study site vegetation consisted mainly of coniferous forest (pine [Pinus] and spruce [Picea]), with interspersed patches of broadleaf forest (willow [Salix] and alder [Alnus]) in poorly drained swales. For 26 birds captured and radio-tracked in 2002 and 2003, the average minimum stopover duration was 8.9 ± 1.0 days. For 20 of these birds with a sufficient number of locations, the average home range size was 1.9 ± 0.3 ha. Thrushes showed no overall pattern of selection for forest type within the study area or for forest type used inside their home range. Fat and lean birds selected forest types similarly within the study area and their home ranges. However, locations occupied by lean birds had twice as much huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) shrub cover and were 1.3 times more concealed by vegetation than locations occupied by fat birds. There were 2.5 times more huckleberries at occupied than random locations, and locations occupied by lean birds had 2.1 times more berries overall than those frequented by fat birds. Fecal analyses confirmed that huckleberries were a commonly consumed food (70% of sampled thrushes), but also revealed that thrushes ate arthropods (87%) and wax myrtle (Myrica californica) bracteoles (43%). The overall lack of forest type selection coupled with differences between fat and lean birds in selection for cover and fruit abundance suggests that fat level may influence microsite selection.

Sexual and environmental variation in the space requirements of the Critically Endangered geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaretha Hofmeyr ◽  
Ulric van Bloemestein ◽  
Brian Henen ◽  
Craig Weatherby
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Mating Opportunities ◽  
Space Requirements ◽  
Nesting Season

Psammobates geometricus has a limited distribution in the southwestern Cape, South Africa, where it occurs in small habitat fragments separated by agricultural and urban developments. Space use and its determining factors thus represent critical information for the effective conservation of this species. We used radiotelemetry and thread-trailing to study the movement patterns and space use of geometric tortoises over an annual cycle, and estimated home ranges with minimum convex polygons and fixed-kernel methods. Home range size of geometric tortoises showed large inter-individual variation, and for females, a positive relationship to body size. Females, the larger sex, had larger home ranges and mean daily displacements than males had. Female space use was high through most of the year, except in the wet season, when food was abundant, temperatures relatively low, and soft soils allowed easy nesting. Males used more space and displaced further in the non-nesting than nesting season, perhaps to optimise mating opportunities in the non-nesting season before females ovulate. Home ranges were more elongate and overlapped more in fallow fields than in natural vegetation, suggesting that habitat degradation alters home range structure. The space geometric tortoises used for their annual activities ranged from 1.02 to 44.85 ha. The large home ranges and effects of habitat degradation should influence the size of reserves, and the destiny of geometric tortoises in small habitat fragments.

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