Diet of the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) in western Spitsbergen

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) diet was analysed in West Spitsbergen, Svalbard in the summer of 1987. Content of fox scats and identity of prey carcasses were determined and compared. Auks and geese were the major dietary components from both analyses, being found in 77% of scats and accounting for 77% of carcasses. Snow buntings were over-represented in scats compared to carcasses, whilst the reverse was true of gulls. Given the relative sizes of auks and geese, their relative contributions to the diet were considered similar. Marine invertebrate prey were found in some scats indicating the importance of coastline in Arctic fox home ranges.