On the parasites of silver foxes on some farms in the south-west

Abstract

1. The carcasses of 154 silver foxes of various ages, from fifteen farms in the southwest, have been examined and their parasites recorded. In addition, those of fourteen wild red foxes have similarly been examined.2. The incidence of various species of nematode, cestode, and protozoan parasites has been analysed for the foxes, in age groups and in farm groups.3. The worm egg counts in the faeces have been discussed in relation to the numbers of female worms in the foxes. No adequate correlation has been established between the two sets of data.4. The ages of the foxes at incidence of the nematode parasites has been discussed, and the possibility of the development of resistance to various species investigated.5. Certain peculiarities in the sex ratios of the Nematoda have been discussed.6. The possibility of infestation of silver foxes by parasites derived from the wild-red-fox population of the neighbourhood of the farms has been investigated, as has also that of the transference of Crenosoma striatum from the hedgehog to foxes.