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The activity patterns of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) living and breeding in urban areas of Oxford, and the interactions between individuals, were analysed from detailed radio-tracking data on 17 adults. Foxes were nocturnal and active during the night for a mean of 6 h 52 min ± 10 min, irrespective of the time of year. The number of active/resting periods increased in autumn and winter, and in winter and spring the night was characteristically divided into several short cycles of activity of 2 2 1/4 h each, interspersed with similar periods of rest. The foxes occupied mutually exclusive group ranges and group members remained within 50 m of each other for up to one-third of the time spent active at night. The implications of fox spatial relationships for rabies transmission are discussed.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1469-7998.1997.tb05500.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of Zoology

Publication Date

01/01/1997

Volume

241

Pages

73 - 87