The Use of Urine Marking in the Scavenging Behavior of the Red Fox (Vulpes v uLpes)

Abstract

The eleven different functions for which mammals use urine marking are reviewed in this paper, and the urine marking behavior of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is described in detail. A new hypothesis is advanced that urine marking may serve as a "book keeping system" in the red fox's scavenging behavior. Foxes consistently investigate and urine mark inedible food remnants (e.g., bones, bird wings, and dried out pieces of hide). When a fox re-investigates a marked remnant, the urine mark signals "no food present," and the fox investigates this object for only a brief period of time. This use of urine marking may increase the efficiency of its scavenging behavior, i.e. more food-items found per hour of scavenging. This efficiency may be particularly important during periods of food shortage. The hypothesis is tested in three different experiments, using free-ranging red foxes as subjects. Experiment I establishes that fox do urine mark food remnants. Experiment II shows that foxes investigate for a significantly shorter period of time (P<0.001) food remnants exhibiting both the odor of food and the odor of urine as compared to remnants exhibiting just the odor of food. Experiment III suggests that there a hierarchy of stimuli which determines different responses in the fox's scavenging behavior. The experiments also suggest that there is a degree of social behavior in the scavenging activities of red foxes. Foxes appear to use each other's urine marks to increase the efficiency of their scavenging behavior. Thus this study definitely support LEYHAUSEN'S (1965) statement that the social life of solitary animals is frequently more complex than we realize. Solitary species probably show many ingeniously adapted mechanisms for occupying niches where highly social species could not be maintained. The social evolution and ecological advantages of solitary species deserve to be the focus of future research.

Hog badger (Arctonyx collaris) latrine use in relation to food abundance: evidence of the scarce factor paradox

“…Here, we use information theoretic modeling (Burnham and Anderson 2002) to investigate: (1) whether latrine site use varies seasonally in different habitat types (Almeida et al 2012); (2) whether latrine use relates to hog badger diet and responds to the environmental abundance of trophic resources (i.e., the foraging book keeping hypothesis; Henry 1977, Kruuk 1992, Remonti et al 2011and (3) whether any patterns in latrine use relate to the abundance or scarcity of key food types in accord with Leontief's scarce factor paradox (Valavanis-Vail 1954), which states that in commodity theory scarcity affects value (Lynn 1991, Patterson 1998. (Fig.…”

In-cage sandbox as a ground substitute for farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus): Effects on digging activity and welfare

“…In the wild, earthen substrate is a predominant component of foxes' living environment. As terrestrial carnivores wild foxes regularly perform digging behaviour while caching or digging up food (Henry 1977;Jeselnik and Brisbin 1980), or when making a whelping den or a resting place (Weber 1985;Meia and Weber 1993). These activities are not possible under intensive wire-netting confinement.…”

Food Availability and Food Hoarding Behaviour by Red and Arctic Foxes

“…The second comprised a number of scattered holes actively dug by foxes in the soil to depths of up to ~1 m. Larder holes of the latter category were generally structured vertically, though some contained horizontal compartments at their base. The foxes made no attempts to conceal stored food at ground level by covering hole entrances with debris, as is typical when foxes scatter hoard (Henry, 1976(Henry, , 1977Macdonald, 1976). Carcasses were either stuffed underneath boulders, or stuffed and piled within larder holes.…”

“…Scatter hoarding and subsequent recovery of food items have been well described for red foxes (Scott, 1943;Macdonald, 1976;Henry, 1977). Tendencies toward surplus killing (Stickney, 1988) and larder hoarding have also been observed (e.g., Fisher, 1951;Lund, 1962;Errington, 1967; see Table 2).…”

“…Both red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) scatter hoard prey and store prey in larders (Osgood et al, 1915;Freuchen, 1935;Murie, 1936;Braestrup, 1941;Scott, 1943;Pedersen, 1966;Stephenson, 1970;Henry, 1976;Macdonald, 1976;Maccarone and Montevecchi, 1981;Quinlan and Lenhausen, 1982). These findings suggest that hoarding behaviour is flexible and not species-specific or tightly linked with territorial behaviour (Hurley and Robertson, 1987; see also Lockner, 1972;Kramer and Nowell, 1980).…”