ACTIVITY AND MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF BLANDFORDS FOXES

Blanford's fox (Vulpes cana) is strictly nocturnal. Onset of activity is strongly correlated with light (sunset), but variation in the time when activity ceases, in nightly distances traveled, and in the total duration of nightly activity are not easily explained and may be related to nightly foraging success. Weather conditions have no significant effect on activity patterns of these foxes. Blanford's foxes tend to leave the vicinity of their daytime lairs shortly after activity begins and return there during the second half of the night. Some individuals travel a predictable route, especially during the first half of the night. We hypothesize that this time-tabling in the movement of pair members is a mechanism that minimizes interference between foxes while foraging.