Social Organization, Natal Dispersal, Survival, and Cause -Specific Mortality of Red Foxes in Agricultural and Urban Areas of East-Central Illinois

Abstract

Survival was influenced the most by environmental and body condition. Adult foxes with low (0--20%) and high (80--100%) row-crop percentages, and higher capture weights experienced higher survival. Juveniles from larger litters, low capture body fat, and fewer dispersal days had higher survival. Adult survival (0.35) was higher than juvenile survival (0.24). Yearly urban survival varied due to cyclic outbreaks of sarcoptic mange, resulting in survival ranging from 0.10 (mange prevalent) to 0.83 (no mange) indifferent years. Mange was the major source of urban fox mortality, followed by road kill. Road kill and coyote predation mortalities were major sources for rural foxes. Urban areas may provide refugia for red foxes in North America where reestablished coyote populations persist at high densities.