Predation of ringed seal pups (Phoca hispida) by the arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)

Abstract

The arctic fox (Alopex lagopus), commonly assigned the role of scavenger of marine mammal remains left by polar hears (Ursus maritimus), is for the first time quantitatively described as an important predator of the pups of the ringed seal (Phoca hispida). Foxes enter and kill the seal pups in their subnivean birth lairs. In no case were any seals other than pups killed by foxes. While predation was seen to vary over the 3 years of study, an average pup predation of 26.1% in nearshore sea ice is estimated. Estimates of the contribution of seal pups to the fox energy budget are calculated. Newborn seal pups contribute a maximum of 45.2 and a minimum of 30.2 days of maintenance energy. Almost weaned pups provide a maximum of 341.5 and a minimum of 227 days of maintenance energy.