Sleeping site selection in two asian viverrids: Effects of predation risk, resource access and habitat characteristics

Journal article

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Publication Details

Author list: Chutipong W., Steinmetz R., Savini T., Gale G.A.

Publication year: 2015

Journal: Raffles bulletin of Zoology (0217-2445)

Volume number: 63

Start page: 516

End page: 528

Number of pages: 13

ISSN: 0217-2445

URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84948969761&partnerID=40&md5=b412a6cc80b9995ce3e9b33219f06762

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

Factors related to sleeping site selection in terrestrial and semi-arboreal mammals vary depending on the environmental conditions they live in and the suite of species they interact with. These factors include proximity to food resources and availability of suitable sites that offer protection from severe weather and from risk of predation. We explored habitat characteristics which may influence sleeping site selection of masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) and binturongs (Arctictis binturong) and assessed whether selection was related to food resources and/or reduction of predation risk. Most of the sleeping sites were in trees close to canopy level (c. 19–24 m). A majority of the sites consisted of tangled structures created by vines, leaves and/or woody climbers and moderate to high levels of canopy cover which typically concealed sleeping animals from below and above. However, selection of sleeping sites did not appear to be related to density of fruiting stems within the sites, probably because fruits may have been available in similar quantities across home ranges. Although sleeping site selection varied among individuals, selection appeared to reflect choices for habitat characteristics at both sleeping trees and sleeping sites to enhance concealment. While enhanced concealment may have multiple benefits, we postulate that it is mostly likely intended to reduce predation risk. © National University of Singapore

Keywords

Binturong, Masked palm civet