SUMMARY (1) Changes in fox populations in north-east and west Scotland, as shown by bounty figures and scat counts, were compared with details of reproduction, age structure and condition obtained from analysis of carcasses. (2) Foxes reached a peak in numbers in both areas during 1 year of the study. (3) Peak numbers followed an increase in litter size in the west but not in the north-east. (4) There was the same proportion of juveniles in the autumn population in high and low years. (5) It was concluded that changes in overwinter mortality were the main cause of fluctuations in numbers. (6) The most likely factor associated with population fluctuations appeared to be the availability of Microtus agrestis as prey during the winter. (7) Foxes bred later in the west of Scotland than in the north-east, probably as an adaptation to a more intermittent food supply. (8) The impact of human control on Scottish foxes is discussed, and concluded to be ineffective at the present level for limiting fox populations over the area studied.
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Kolb et al. (1980) studied this question.
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