Habitat selection and use of edges by striped skunks in the Canadian prairies

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Larivière ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Habitat Patches ◽  
South Central ◽  
Striped Skunks ◽  
Ground Nesting

During 1993-1994, we radio-tracked 21 female and 5 male striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada, to assess their patterns of habitat selection. Home ranges of both sexes contained more areas managed for nesting waterfowl and less woodland than the overall study area. When foraging within their home ranges, striped skunks used more wetland and woodland and less cropland relative to other habitat types (managed nesting areas, rights-of-way, farmsteads). Patterns of habitat selection by striped skunks were significantly but weakly correlated with abundance of insects and small mammals. Striped skunks selected undisturbed habitats where ground litter can accumulate, possibly because such habitats also harbor a greater abundance of prey. Our results support the restoration of grasslands for nesting waterfowl. Furthermore, the use of large habitat patches by striped skunks decreased away from edges, suggesting that large patches may serve as refuges for ground-nesting birds.

Space-use patterns by female striped skunks exposed to aggregations of simulated duck nests

2001 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 1604-1608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Larivière ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Year Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Striped Skunks

We monitored space-use patterns and behaviour of female striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) during the spring and summer of 1995 simultaneously with the deployment of simulated duck nests (2.5–25/ha) in Saskatchewan, Canada. In 1995, home ranges of five female skunks averaged 2.3 km2 (SE = 0.5 km2), which was smaller (P = 0.01) than home ranges of females (n = 21) present in the same area in 1993–1994. Home-range overlap did not differ (P = 0.34) between 1993–1994 (71 ± 4%) and 1995 (75 ± 11%). Female skunks were nocturnal during all years, but were less active in 1995 than in 1993–1994 (P < 0.01). Patterns of habitat selection differed during the nest experiment: managed waterfowl-nesting areas were used less than wetlands in 1993–1994, but no significant difference in use of these two habitats was detected in 1995. Although we cannot ascertain a direct cause-and-effect relationship, owing to a possible year effect, the changes in space-use patterns of striped skunks exposed to aggregations of simulated nests are consistent with the literature on food-supplementation experiments. These results re-emphasize the importance of food in determining the space-use patterns of striped skunks.

scholarly journals Summer Movements and Impact of Individual Striped Skunks, Mephitis mephitis, on Duck Nests in Saskatchewan

2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Serge Larivière ◽  
Lyle R. Walton ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Direct Function ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Striped Skunk ◽  
Intensive Observations ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Foraging Movements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Striped Skunks ◽  
Nesting Season

Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are important predators of duck eggs in the Canadian prairies. We estimated the impact of individual Striped Skunks on duck nests by intensive observations of foraging movements and depredation of duck nests in southern Saskatchewan, 1993-1994. Nightly, skunk movements were variable (range 0-20 km per night), and did not differ among seasons for females, or between males and females during the parturition/rearing season. Overall, nightly movement of Striped Skunks averaged 7.4 km for females (SD = 5.9 km, n = 20 females) and 6.7 km for males (SD = 3.2 km, n = 5 males). During 1,873 h of radio-tracking, we observed depredation of 10 duck nests by 8 skunks (7 F, 1 M). Using our observed estimate of one depredation for every 187 h, and averaged nightly activity of 8-10 h per night, we estimated that individual skunks find one duck nest every 19-23 nights. Thus, during the 60-day nesting season for ducks (mid-May to mid-July), individual skunks probably find 2-3 duck nests. These observations reinforce the growing evidence that, at normal duck nest densities (<2.5 nests/ha), depredation of eggs by Striped Skunks is opportunistic, and the impact of Striped Skunks on duck nests is a direct function of Striped Skunk abundance.

scholarly journals Home Range, Movements, and Habitat Utilization of Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada: Disease Management Implications

2011 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Rosatte ◽  
Paula Kelly ◽  
Mike Power
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Striped Skunk ◽  
Rabies Control ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Striped Skunks

A total of 28 Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were fitted with radio-transmitters and their movements were monitored in Scarborough (Toronto), Ontario, in 1986 and 1987. Mean annual home range size for combined sex and age classes of Striped Skunks was 0.9 km2 (SD = 1.4) (range = 0.1-5.0 km2). Home ranges were smaller during winter (avg = 0.04 km2, SD = 0.05) than during fall (avg = 0.67 km2, SD = 1.09) (P = 0.055) but not different from ranges during spring (avg = 0.25 km2, SD = 0.31) or summer (avg = 0.27 km2, SD = 0.43). Nightly movements ranged between 0.1 km and 3.0 km and were greatest during October. Skunks were located more often in field habitats (56% of observations) than in residential (23%), field/industrial (10%), or industrial (8%) habitats. Ecological data on Striped Skunks were used in the design of rabies control tactics for use in urban areas in Ontario, Canada.

Effects of edges and habitats on small mammals in a prairie ecosystem

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (11) ◽  
pp. 2020-2025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pasitschniak-Arts ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Edge Effect ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
South Central ◽  
Abundance And Distribution ◽  
Prairie Ecosystem

To investigate the abundance and distribution of small mammals relative to edge in a fragmented prairie landscape, small mammals were trapped in south-central Saskatchewan from 1991 to 1993 in four different habitat types: idle pasture, delayed hay, dense nesting cover, and rights-of-way. In total, 995 small mammals, representing nine species, were captured on 14 182 trap-nights. No edge effect was recorded in idle pasture or dense nesting cover; however, an edge effect was observed in delayed hay fields. Edge effect across all habitats was dependent on season: relative abundance of small mammals was significantly higher along edges in spring but not in summer. Of the two most common species captured, Peromyscus maniculatus showed no affinity for edges, while Microtus pennsylvanicus was significantly more abundant along edges than in the habitat interior. Relative abundance of small mammals was highest in dense nesting cover, intermediate in delayed hay and along rights-of-way, and lowest in idle pasture. Relative abundance was also lower in spring than in summer. Species richness was higher along edges than in the habitat interior and was also greater in summer than in spring. Species diversity showed no edge or season effect.

Social contacts and den sharing among suburban striped skunks during summer, autumn, and winter

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 1272-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tad C. Theimer ◽  
Jesse M. Maestas ◽  
David L. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Male Territoriality ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Striped Skunks ◽  
Proximity Sensing

Abstract Determining social contacts among solitary carnivores is difficult given their often nocturnal and secretive nature. We used proximity-sensing radiocollars to quantify social contacts and den sharing among striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in suburban Flagstaff, Arizona, United States, in summer, autumn, and winter 2012–2013. During June and July, we followed 6 males and 5 females and, in spite of overlapping home ranges, they had few social contacts (range = 0–7), and all were brief, nocturnal encounters. From October through February, we followed 8 males and 9 females and found that patterns of contacts were similar for males and females except for significantly higher diurnal contacts (co-denning) among females in winter. Females varied in denning behavior; 1 female denned continuously in the same location from early November to late January, while at the other extreme 1 female moved among 10 different dens across the same time period. Several females moved to new communal dens in late January, resulting in new combinations of females co-denning. Males visited multiple female dens throughout winter. Overall, our data were consistent with previous studies in documenting overlapping home ranges of both sexes with few social contacts in summer, male intolerance but lack of male territoriality, and divergent social behavior in winter, with females co-denning while males generally denned alone. Our study differed from others in documenting more social interaction and movement during winter, often through nocturnal visits by males to female dens, and a shift in denning associations among females near the end of January.

scholarly journals Influence of Gender and Den Type on Home Range Shape for Striped Skunks, Mephitis mephitis, in Saskatchewan

2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Serge Larivière ◽  
David Howerter ◽  
François Messier
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Core Area ◽  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Foraging Activity ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Striped Skunks

We investigated gender differences in shape of home ranges for Striped Skunks, Mephitis mephitis, in southcentral Saskatchewan, Canada, during 1993-1994. Data collected on free-ranging Striped Skunks indicated that shape of female home ranges was unaffected by den type (building versus burrow) and was similar to shape of male home ranges. Moreover, type of maternity den did not influence the position of the den within the home range (inside or outside of core area). We conclude that the distribution of Striped Skunks in summer, and the distribution of their foraging activity, are not affected by the availability of anthropogenic den structures.

scholarly journals Streptococcus equisimilis Infection in Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Saskatchewan

2002 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 641-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeen Ten Hwang ◽  
G. Wobeser ◽  
S. Larivière ◽  
F. Messier
Keyword(s):  
Mephitis Mephitis ◽  
Striped Skunks

scholarly journals Microhabitat of small mammals at ground and understorey levels in a deciduous, southern Atlantic Forest

2013 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 727-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
GERUZA L. MELO ◽  
BARBARA MIOTTO ◽  
BRISA PERES ◽  
NILTON C. CACERES
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Didelphis Albiventris

Each animal species selects specific microhabitats for protection, foraging, or micro-climate. To understand the distribution patterns of small mammals on the ground and in the understorey, we investigated the use of microhabitats by small mammals in a deciduous forest of southern Brazil. Ten trap stations with seven capture points were used to sample the following microhabitats: liana, fallen log, ground litter, terrestrial ferns, simple-trunk tree, forked tree, and Piper sp. shrubs. Seven field phases were conducted, each for eight consecutive days, from September 2006 through January 2008. Four species of rodents (Akodon montensis, Sooretamys angouya, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Mus musculus) and two species of marsupials (Didelphis albiventris and Gracilinanus microtarsus) were captured. Captured species presented significant differences on their microhabitat use (ANOVA, p = 0.003), particularly between ground and understorey sites. Akodon montensis selected positively terrestrial ferns and trunks, S. angouya selected lianas, D. albiventris selected fallen trunks and Piper sp., and G. microtarsus choose tree trunks and lianas. We demonstrated that the local small-mammal assemblage does select microhabitats, with different types of associations between species and habitats. Besides, there is a strong evidence of habitat selection in order to diminish predation.

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