Seasonal changes in activity of Arctic foxes Alopex lagopus L. in Svalbard
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Abstract
Daily and seasonal activity patterns of Arctic foxes Alopex lagopus were studied on the western coast of Svalbard from 1986 to 1989. The activity of radio collared foxes (n = 11, including two pups) was recorded on a chart recorder, and the activity of litters of pups (n =6) was observed in denning areas. Only one collared fox, a female, was known to be breeding. The range in activity by month and individual was about 10 - 60%, and yearly means were 32% and 36% in adult males and females, respectively. Variation between months was not significant. A seasonal variation was found although no two seasons were different from each other. Average percentage of activity in the summer was 40%, and in the winter 15%. No influence on the rate of activity of temperature and wind speed was found. Foxes averaged 39% activity in nighttime hours (2000 - 0800) and 28% active in daytime hours (0800 - 2000) (p = 0.06). Three adults (two males, one female) and one pup that were monitored when living in the same bird cliffs influenced each others activity only to a small extent.
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