Laurianne Dumont
Project
Excursions outside the summer home range of a territorial predator, the arctic foxAn animal's home range comprises the familiar space used daily to access the resources necessary for survival and reproduction. However, excursions outside the home range are observed in several mammal species. This type of movement can be defined as any fairly long, non-permanent movement outside the typical area of use. Although excursions may expose the individual to risks, they potentially respond to a feeding, reproductive or information acquisition need. Our project aims first to identify and separate excursions outside the home range from habitual movements. We will then analyze the characteristics and functions of excursions, as well as the factors that can influence these movements, such as sex or reproductive status. Finally, we examine how the distribution of food resources influences the probability and location of excursions. The study takes place on Bylot Island (Nunavut), where Arctic foxes, the main terrestrial predator, exert predation pressure on lemmings and several species of nesting birds. Since 2018, around fifty individuals have been fitted with GPS collars recording a location every four minutes. We anticipate that the speed and linearity of excursions will vary according to their function. We also anticipate that the length, duration and number of excursions will be higher in non-breeding than in breeding individuals, but with no difference between the sexes. Finally, we anticipate that areas of high food abundance will influence the number and direction of excursions of nearby foxes.
