Optimal prey for red fox cubs-An example of dual optimizing foraging strategy in foxes from a dynamic wetland habitat.

ABSTRACT: The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most abundant mesopredator in the Central European region. Detailed knowledge about their feeding behavior is important both from ecological and wildlife management reasons. Food choices of foxes are poorly predictable in high-biodiversity marshlands. The main aim of our study was to sample parallel the main food-type abundances in the study area and analyze the diet of fox cubs and cohabiting adults across 3 years during the period of maternal dependence of the cubs. According to the optimal foraging theory, we predicted that the cubs' diet would show higher energy content, would be more varied, and the individual prey species fed to the young would be larger. We analyzed the composition of adult fox and cub fecal samples collected separately arou

SUBMITTER: Lanszki J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10119026 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature