Ranging behaviour of juvenile red foxes and its implications for management

The diurnal and nocturnal movement patterns of juvenile foxes Vulpes vulpes (Linneaus, 1758) were investigated in Bristol, UK. juvenile and adult foxe s were radio-tracked between May and December in three consecutive years. I n the months preceding the main dispersal period (May-September), cubs show ed a gradual increase in the area over which they ranged, and this was refl ected both in the use of diurnal lying-up sites and nocturnal patterns of m ovement. However, their behaviour was highly focused at secure den sites an d rendezvous sites. There was no significant difference in the movement pat terns of male and female cubs. By the end of August, the nocturnal movement patterns of cubs were comparable with resident adult animals with the exce ption of their average speed of travel. During the onset of the main disper sal period (October-December) subadults showed the same movement patterns a s adults. These results are discussed within the context of fox management by the distribution of baits, it is proposed that the low bait uptake rate of juveniles is associated with their limited ranging behaviour as cubs, an d with differences in patterns of range utilisation as subadults.