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- Title
Eastern Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius) Survival and Cause-specific Mortality in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas.
- Authors
LESMEISTER, DAMON B.; MILLSPAUGH, JOSHUA J.; GOMPPER, MATTHEW E.; MONG, TONY W.
- Abstract
Survival and cause-specific mortality of eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius) was assessed for a radio-monitored population in the Ouachita Mountains of westcentral Arkansas, USA. We monitored 33 eastern spotted skunks over a 23 mo period. Mean annual survival was 0.354 (0.339-0.368, 95% CI), and survival estimates were similar across age and sex categories. Survival increased for males as measures of body condition index increased. This pattern was reversed tot females, although interpretation of the patterns is potentially confounded by female reproductive status. Of 19 mortality events, 63% (12) were caused by avian predators, most likely great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), 26% (5) were caused by mammalian predators, and 11% (2) were due to unknown causes. Although eastern spotted skunks are known to avoid open areas and forested areas where die understory is less dense and the canopy more open, 11 of 12 avian-caused deaths occurred in mature shortleaf pine stands with an open canopy and herbaceous understory.
- Subjects
OUACHITA Mountains (Ark. &; Okla.); UNITED States; EASTERN spotted skunk; ANIMAL radio tracking; GREAT horned owl; PREDATORY animals
- Publication
American Midland Naturalist, 2010, Vol 164, Issue 1, p52
- ISSN
0003-0031
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1674/0003-0031-164.1.52