Twenty-four hour activity budget and scent-marking behaviours of captive margays (Leopardus wiedii) in naturalistic enclosures, Belize
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2007 |
Authors: |
Nikolas Gour |
Publication/Journal: |
Graduate Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology |
Publisher: |
University of Toronto |
Keywords: |
activity budget, margay, non-invasive censusing techniques, scent marking |
Abstract:
I present the first study of the twenty-four hour activity budget and scent-marking repertoire of margay. My results indicate that the sexes had remarkably similar activity budgets with the following exceptions: males (i) spent considerably more time roaming and (ii) sprayed more frequently than females, which fits the observation that males have larger territories than females. Females tended to spray on broad-leafed plants while males preferred thin vertical branches, indicating that margays may be able to selectively search for information depending upon the substrate. Two semi-novel behaviours are described: caching (previously not observed in tropical felids) and sliding (function unknown). I also show that a scent-based lure that has been used to attract the sister group to margay, ocelots, to census stations does not work well with margay. I conclude with recommendations for ways to improve non-invasive censusing techniques for margay based on the results of my research.