I need to make some clarifications here. First, my comments on pup mortality are for the area that I work and for the people I correspond with. That is not to say that pup mortality in other areas is not considerably higher.
Second, I realize that mange could play a big part in pup mortality by spreading from an infected adult. I think that is exactly what happened to the fox population in many areas. NO proof, just know that mange has been really hard on red fox and I would assume that it was hard on the pups.
Third, in regards to the 400% difference between Steve's figures and ours. Steve, correct me if I am wrong and refresh my memory here, wasn't your figures the averages for all females where our figures are the averages for all bred females.
We may also have a slight bias towards territorial adult females although we also check the yearlings in the area as well. Seems like the territorial adults would tend to have larger litters.
Based on this, I don't think our figures are as far off.
Steve, where did the .75 come from? Was that the correct number? Wiley E
[This message has been edited by Wiley E (edited 04-20-2001).]
Second, I realize that mange could play a big part in pup mortality by spreading from an infected adult. I think that is exactly what happened to the fox population in many areas. NO proof, just know that mange has been really hard on red fox and I would assume that it was hard on the pups.
Third, in regards to the 400% difference between Steve's figures and ours. Steve, correct me if I am wrong and refresh my memory here, wasn't your figures the averages for all females where our figures are the averages for all bred females.
We may also have a slight bias towards territorial adult females although we also check the yearlings in the area as well. Seems like the territorial adults would tend to have larger litters.
Based on this, I don't think our figures are as far off.
Steve, where did the .75 come from? Was that the correct number? Wiley E
[This message has been edited by Wiley E (edited 04-20-2001).]