Habitat Use, Food and the Importance of Poultry in the Diet of the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes in Extensive Farmland in Poland

Abstract

Abstract: Studies on red fox Vulpes vulpes biology, including habitat and food preferences have been very popular during recent decades. However, the majority of them were mainly carried out mainly in highly human-modified habitats. In this paper we present data on the diet of the red fox, with special attention to domestic poultry and on den site selection in extensive farmland in Poland. During the years 2006-2008, 632 scats were collected and 82 dens were recorded. 58.5 % of dens were situated in under cover (40 in forest, 8 in scrub) and the rest in open areas, such as arable fields and pasture. Fox den entrances occurred significantly more often in N, NE and W directions. Scat analyses revealed a high biomass of rodents (44.6%) and birds (35.0%-mainly poultry). Fox adaptation to use of poultry makes them partially more independent from natural resources. We found that importance of poultry in the red fox diet decreased significantly with distance to the nearest farm buildings. Key words: Red fox Food composition Poultry use Protected areas