With the aid of GPS tracking, NMBU’s researchers follow the movements of a male and female fox over three days, offering an in-depth look at their behaviour during the breeding season.
In the heart of the forest landscape of southern Norway, a little love story unfolds. This is a tale of two red foxes, their paths intertwining over the span of three days leading up to Valentine's Day. Painted against the backdrop of the tail-end of the fox breeding season, it is a narrative that sheds light on the inherent, complex nature of fox behaviour and mating rituals.
Innovative technology
Using cutting-edge GPS technology, researchers from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) were able to track the wanderings of a male and female fox in unprecedented detail. Animated time-lapse footage displays the foxes' movements, offering remarkable insight into how these creatures periodically meet, interact, and mate.
Finding a partner – for the time being
During this time of year, as Cupid readies his bow and arrows for Valentine’s Day, the foxes have a rather different focus. The primary concerns for male and female foxes alike are defending their territories and finding suitable mates. Unlike some other creatures, foxes are not inherently monogamous. During the breeding season, both male and female foxes will typically mate with multiple partners.
Tiny technology
The GPS collars, pivotal in aiding this research, are developed by NMBU’s engineers. Each unit weighs only 70 to 80 grams, a negligible burden for the foxes, and they are designed to remain on the animals for only a few days or weeks. Part of the project’s aim is to improve animal welfare in wildlife research.
Understanding the fox
“These two foxes are part of a broader study striving to improve our understanding of fox behaviour,” professor Richard Bischof explains. He is lead researcher of the project.
The GPS data shows that both animals move mostly independently through the landscape. “Occasionally they meet, probably to check in on each other and perhaps to mate,” he concludes.