Water Economy of Two Desert Canids: Coyote and Kit Fox

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Water loss rates (W1) were determined by tritium dilution for free-ranging kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis), for unrestrained desert coyotes (Canis latrans), and for kit foxes in a naturally landscaped outdoor enclosure. Coyote W1 was much greater in summer than in winter (P < 0.001). Seasonal variation of W1 was not statistically apparent in kit foxes. The weight-specific water loss of kit foxes was intermediate between summer and winter rates in coyotes. Kit fox W1 was 65% of that predicted on the basis of body weight, whereas W1 for summer coyotes was 155% of predicted. Metabolic water was estimated to contribute 18% of total daily water requirements for kit foxes and approximately 10% for coyotes in summer. For both coyotes and kit foxes, the acquisition of preformed water was calculated to require substantially more prey than was required to meet energy demands.

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: