Habitat Use and Movements of Desert Kit Foxes in Western Arizona

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Abstract
We examined habitat use and movements of 7 desert kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis arsipus) on a 51-km2 study area in the Sonoran Desert in western Arizona from December 1982 to March 1984. Male and female foxes traveled a mean of 14.3 ± 0.71 (SE) and 11.8 ± 1.08 km a night, respectively. Nightly movements of males were greater in length during the breeding season than during pup rearing and pair formation (P < 0.05). The distances traveled by kit foxes in creosotebush (Larrea divaricata) flats and riparian habitat did not differ from that expected by the availability of the habitats (P > 0.05). However, foxes denned and spent more time (P < 0.01) in creosotebush flats than expected from availability. Biomass of nocturnal small mammals was greatest in riparian habitat (P < 0.05). Foxes may den and rest in creosotebush flats because of adaptations to open habitats. They probably did not avoid the more densely vegetated riparian habitat because of the greater prey biomass.

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