The Foraging Behavior, Habitat Use, And Diet Of Arctic Foxes (Alopex Lagopus) In A Goose Nesting Area Near Kokechik Bay, Alaska

Abstract

The foraging behavior, habitat use, and diet of arctic foxes were observed in a goose nesting area near Kokechik Bay, Alaska during the summers of 1985 and 1986. The foraging patterns of arctic foxes changed after birds started nesting in the study area, adding an abundant egg resource to a previously limited prey base. The duration of search bouts decreased and success rate increased, yielding an increased prey capture rate. Over 80% of the eggs taken by foxes during the nesting stage were cached, rather than eaten immediately. Differences in search patterns among foxes were probably related to the different prey available within the range of each fox. Egg caches extended fox access to a temporally clumped resource, and increased the impact of foxes on the nesting success of geese. Eggs were the primary prey of foxes during the nesting stage in both years, regardless of variations in microtine abundance. <p>