Fine-scale habitat use of reintroduced black-footed ferrets on prairie dog colonies in New Mexico
Western North American Naturalist
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Abstract
Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are among the most endangered animals in North America. Reintroductions of captive-born ferrets onto prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) colonies are crucial to the conservation of the species. In September 2007, captive-born ferrets were released on a black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony at the Vermejo Park Ranch, New Mexico. Ferret kits experimentally released in areas of comparatively low and high prairie dog burrow densities were located via spotlight surveys. Some maturing ferret kits were subsequently translocated to areas of low and high burrow densities on nearby prairie dog colonies. For 2 months, fine-scale habitat use was quantified by mapping all burrow openings within a 30-m radius of each ferret location. Spatial statistics accounted for autocorrelation in the burrow densities in areas used by ferrets. It was hypothesized that ferrets would select areas of high burrow densities within colonies; however, burrow densities in areas used by ferrets were generally similar to the available burrow densities. Because ferrets used areas with burrow densities similar to densities available at the colony level and because of the potential energetic benefits for ferrets using areas with high burrow densities, releasing ferrets on colonies with high burrow densities might increase reintroduction success.
Suggested Citation
Chipault, J.G., Biggins, D.E., Detling, J.K., Long, D.H., Reich, R.M., 2012, Fine-scale habitat use of reintroduced black-footed ferrets on prairie dog colonies in New Mexico: Western North American Naturalist, v. 72, no. 2, p. 216-227, https://doi.org/10.3398/064.072.0211.
ISSN: 1944-8341 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Fine-scale habitat use of reintroduced black-footed ferrets on prairie dog colonies in New Mexico |
| Series title | Western North American Naturalist |
| DOI | 10.3398/064.072.0211 |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Brigham Young University |
| Publisher location | Provo, UT |
| Contributing office(s) | Fort Collins Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Western North American Naturalist |
| First page | 216 |
| Last page | 227 |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |