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| Autor principal: | |
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| Formato: | Recurso digital |
| Lenguaje: | inglés |
| Publicado: |
Zenodo
2001
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16413445 |
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- The ringtail (Bassarisciis astutiis) is a common carnivore in the southwestern United States. Despite the common occurrence o f this species, few studies have been conducted to determine the ecology o f this animal. The objectives o f this study were to determine (1) habitat selection, (2) home range, (3) denning characteristics, and (4) food habits o f ringtails at Elephant Mountain WMA, Texas. Seventeen ringtails were captured and radio-collared between November 1999 and January 2001 using Havahart live box traps. Ringtails were relocated via triangulation once per day at a random time. Second- order habitat selection was determined using a range site map and third-order habitat selection was determined using a vegetation map. Den locations were determined by homing in on individuals during daylight hours for 4 consecutive days. Volumetric scat analysis was performed to estimate the percent volume o f each food item. Ringtails preferred catclaw (Mimosa 6/n«ci/era)-persimmon (Diospyros texana)-oak (Quercus spp.) bottom and catclaw-goldeneye ( Vigitiera stenoloba)-sidzodXs (Bouteloua ciirtipendula) slope communities. The mean summer home range size (100% MCP) was 0.28 i 0.163 km2. The mean winter home range size was 0.63 ± 0.219 km2 and mean overlap o f ringtail home ranges was 33.3%. Rock dens were the only type o f dens used by ringtails at Elephant Mountain WMA, with 80.6% o f dens found on slopes o f 30-60°. Ringtail diets consisted o f seeds (35.9%), miscellaneous vegetation (14.6%), mammals (21.9%), insects (27.3%), and reptiles (0.2%). Ringtails on Elephant Mountain are important components of the ecosystem and management practices should minimize degradation o f the canyons and surrounding slopes used by ringtails.