Abstract

Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) and wolves (Canis lupus) often use similar den sites. Interspecific interactions and competition for den sites are therefore possible among these species. At the Kangowan River in Nunavut, Canada, we observed arctic foxes and wolves simultaneously using a den site for pup-rearing during a two-day period in the summer of 2000. We also found evidence that both species had used the den site in May that year. Interspecific interactions in summer included avoidance, tolerance, and aggression. Foxes and wolves used separate entrances and did not appear to share a common space. Our observations of arctic foxes and wolves occupying a den site concurrently suggest that avoidance and interspecific tolerance may have facilitated coexistence at this den site

Published in

Arctic
2005, Volume: 58, number: 4, pages: 418-420
Publisher: ARCTIC INST N AMER

SLU Authors

• Samelius, Gustaf

  • Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/21557