Habitat use by the red fox Vulpes vulpes in a mountainous area

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Abstract
We monitored 10 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) by radio-tracking from September 1989 to February 1993 in a mountainous area in western Switzerland. We examined habitat use and assessed the influence of rainfall and snow-cover on it. Wooded habitats were consistently preferred by foxes, whereas open areas were under-utilized. There were seasonal variations in habitat use. During summer and autumn, foxes were more active in grassland, wooded areas were used more in winter. Activity near human settlements was rare, and without any seasonal trend. Rainfall, unlike snow-cover, had no influence on habitat use.