Daily energy expenditure and water flux of free-living Blanford's foxes (Vulpes cana), a small desert carnivore

E. Geffen, A. A. Degen, M. Kam, R. Hefner, K. A. Nagy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Blanford's fox is a small canid that inhabits rocky mountains and canyons in the deserts of Israel, where it feeds mainly on invertebrates and fruits. The authors measured daily energy expenditure and water intake of free-living Blanford's foxes and compared the results with those of kit fox Vulpes macrotis and estimated dietary intake and seasonal activity periods. Blanford's foxes maintained water and energy balances on a diet of invertebrates and fruits without the need to drink. Metabolism during activity was 8.4 times higher than at rest, and daily energy expenditure of Blanford's foxes was, on average 30.1% higher than that of the kit fox. This result was compatible with the prediction that activity is more energetically expensive for Blanford's foxes in their mountainous habitat than in another desert fox species that inhabits flat terrains. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)611-617
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Animal Ecology
Volume61
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1992
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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