A Study of Fox Populations in Scotland from 1971 to 1976

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Abstract
Changes in fox populations in northeast and west Scotland, as shown by bounty figures and scat counts, were compared with details of reproduction, age structure and condition obtained from analysis of carcasses. Foxes reached a peak in numbers in both areas during 1 yr of the study. Peak numbers followed an increase in litter size in the west but not in the northeast. There was the same proportion of juveniles in the autumn population in high and low years. Changes in overwinter mortality were probably the main cause of fluctuations in numbers. The most likely factor associated with population fluctuations may be the availability of Microtus agrestis as prey during the winter. Foxes bred later in the west of Scotland than in the northeast, probably as an adaptation to a more intermittent food supply. The impact of human control on Scottish foxes is discussed and may be ineffective at the present level for limiting fox populations over the area studied.