P. Cavallini et S. Lovari, HOME-RANGE, HABITAT SELECTION AND ACTIVITY OF THE RED FOX IN A MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL ECOTONE, Acta Theriologica, 39(3), 1994, pp. 279-287
Ranging behaviour and activity of five (2 females, 3 males) red foxes
Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Mediterranean coastal area of Ma
remma Natural Park (central Italy; an area of great habitat diversity)
are described. One female ranged over a very small area and had diurn
al activity rhythms. For other foxes, home range size (100% minimum co
nvex polygon) varied between 86 and 485 ha (larger than fox ranges in
urban areas and smaller than in northern or homogeneous areas), and co
re areas (50% harmonic mean) between 4.0 and 13.7 ha. Habitat diversit
y within home ranges was significantly higher than that of the overall
area. Within their home ranges, foxes selected scrubwood for resting.
When active, they showed individual differences in habitat selection.
Peak activity was between 20.00 h and 22.00 h, but foxes were active
also during the day.