Fox territory size
What determines the size of a fox territory? Dr David McDonald, author of "Running with the Fox" explains it as follows:
"Fundamentally, there are probably two crucial factors: first, the availability of food and second, the costs of defence. Territory size will depend on the balance between these benefits and costs and this balance will obviously vary with circumstances. Territories are expected to be of the minimum size necessary to satisfy the requirements of the occupants, because further enlargement would bring extra costs of defence without net benefits. So, all else being equal, territories can be smaller where food availability is greater.
"Also, all else being equal, defence costs are likely to increase with territory size and to be greater where foxes are abundant, because the territory-holder will be bombarded by more intruders. Therefore, where fox mortality is high, foxes may be able to afford to expand their territories, up to a size beyond which there is no further net advantage in doing so."
