The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Saudi Arabia: loose-knit groupings in the absence of territoriality

Adaptations to extreme environmental conditions were investigated in a deta iled study of red foxes Vulpes vulpes inhabiting a desert region of Saudi A rabia. Forty-two adult foxes were live-trapped during 3 years of field work . In contrast to red foxes studied in other areas, no strict territoriality was observed in this population. Although close interaction (separation <1 m) was more common between members of the same, rather than different, soc ial groups, medium distance interactions were similar. Further, intra-group encounters were much less common than for foxes in the U.K., and foxes did not avoid each other at territory boundaries. All foxes used food-rich sit es associated with human activity, and aggregations of up to four foxes wer e regularly seen in these areas. It is suggested that the combination of an extremely harsh environment, with spatially and temporally variable food s upplies, leads to the formation of loosely knit social groups. Saudi Arabia n red foxes followed Bergmann's rule in being considerably smaller than tho se found in cooler areas. They also had a lighter coloured pelage than red foxes typical of Europe and North America. These morphological differences may represent adaptations to the low availability of food and rest sites in the desert.