Observations of Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata, Hunting Behavior in Central West Virginia

Auteurs-es

  • Brian W. Smith Division of Forestry, West Virginia University, PO Box 6125, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6125
  • Chris A. Dobony Division of Forestry, West Virginia University, PO Box 6125, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6125
  • John W. Edwards Division of Forestry, West Virginia University, PO Box 6125, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6125
  • W. Mark Ford USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, PO Box 404, Parsons, West Virginia 26287

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v117i2.806

Mots-clés :

Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa umbellus, Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata, nest predation, West Virginia

Résumé

Using infrared video-surveillance systems during 1999–2000, we observed attempts by two individual Long-tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) to depredate female Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and their clutch of eggs. Neither female was captured despite Long-tailed Weasel attacks on multiple nights, but all eggs from one nest were either consumed or cached over a two-night period. Although Long-tailed Weasels have been shown to return quickly to areas of abundant prey, return visit behavior to locations where weasels were unsuccessful or only partially successful are poorly described.

Téléchargements

Numéro

Rubrique

Notes