Mortality of arctic fox pups in northern Alaska

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Mammalogy; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1380691· OSTI ID:5246733

Garrott, R A ^[1]; Eberhardt, L E

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1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM

Reports of mortality among arctic foxes, Alopex lagopus, generally consist of isolated incidents of predation by bald eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, snowy owls, Nyctea scandiaca, red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and dogs, Canis familiaris. This is a report of observations made on mortality of arctic fox pups observed at dens in the Prudhoe Bay and Colville River Delta areas of northern Alaska during summers of 1975 to 1978 and 1976 to 1979, respectively. Pup mortality was noted amng 15 (19%) of 79 families whose dens we visited. Evidence of at least 20 dead pups was found with remains ranging from intact carcasses to a few bone fragments and tufts of hair. Undoubtedly, researchers failed to detect some dead pups, as predators sometimes carry small pups away from the den before consuming them and adult foxes were observed to dispose of bodies of dead pups within den burrows.

• OSTI ID: 5246733
• Journal Information: J. Mammalogy; (United States), Journal Name: J. Mammalogy; (United States) Vol. 63:1; ISSN JOMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALASKA
ANIMALS
ARCTIC REGIONS
ECOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION X
MAMMALS
MORTALITY
NEONATES
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POLAR REGIONS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
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WILD ANIMALS