REPRODUCTION IN FARMED SILVER FOX VIXENS, VULPES-VULPES, IN RELATION TO OWN COMPETITION CAPACITY AND THAT OF NEIGHBORING VIXENS

Reproductive performance in 34 one-year old and 5 two-year old farmed silver fox vixens was recorded and related to their competition capaci ty and that of neighbouring vixens. The vixens were tested for competi tion capacity at 5-7 months of age, and divided into high (HCC), mediu m (MCC) and low (LCC), according to their competition capacity score. After selection, they were placed together with neighbours as follows; HCC with LCC or HCC neighbours, MCC with MCC neighbours and LCC vixen s with LCC, MCC, or HCC neighbours. The vixens had the same neighbours from October to the end of the reproductive season in June/July the f ollowing year and were separated from their neighbours by double wire netting only. Only small differences were found between the experiment al groups in the number of cubs born. TheHCC vixens with LCC neighbour s weaned more cubs than any of the other vixens, including HCC vixens with other HCC vixens as neighbours. No LCC vixen weaned cubs unharmed if her neighbours were of higher competition capacity, but did so wit h other LCC vixens as neighbours. The study indicated that social fact ors significantly influence maternal behaviour in farmed silver foxes.