Furbearer activity relative to habitat in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Daues TV. 1991. Furbearer activity relative to habitat in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Winter trail counts and scent stations were used to quantify the occurrence, habitat use, and movements of furbearers at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI. Eighteen winter transects totaling 100 km were established in 6 habitats; furbearer tracks on trails in the snow were counted for 2 winters. Snow depth and compaction were measured to determine if snow conditions affected mammal movement. Tracks were identified and counted at 130 scent stations from 4 habitats during late spring and late summer. Browse piles and beaver (Castor canadensis) and muskrat (Odantra zibethica) houses were counted during two aerial surveys in the autumn. Data indicate that the coyote (Canis latrans) was the most common furbearer. In descending order, marten (Martes americana), otter (Lutra canadensis), mink (Mustela vison), long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata), and red fox (Vulpes fulva) were the next most abundant furbearers. Field signs (scat, bear claw marks, burrows, and tracks) also established the presence of some species. The lack of evidence of gray wolf, mountain lion, lynx, wolverine, moose, and badger are noted and reintroduction recommendations, as appropriate, are included.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Daues, Tom
- Date of Issue
- 1991-08
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
- Units
- PIRO
- Keywords
- Animal Behavior, Beaver (Castor canadensis), common muskrat (Odantra zibethica), Coyote (Canis latrans), Database, long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata), Mammals (Mammalia), Map, Marten (Martes americana), Mink (Mustela vison), Northern River Otter (Lutra canadensis), Range, Rare Species, Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Thesis, Threatened & Endangered Species