Diet and Winter Habitat use of the Red Fox, Pine Marten and Raccoon Dog in Dzūkija National Park, Lithuania

Abstract

The diet, winter habitat use, breadth and overlap of food and habitat niches of the red fox, raccoon dog and pine marten were studied in Dzūkija National Park, southern Lithuania. Depending on predator species and the season, rodents, ungulate carrion, plants, birds, amphibians and hares predominated in the diet. A broader food niche was typical of all the studied species in the warm season, when the diet was comprised of diverse food. In the cold season, the food niche narrowed, a few food items predominating in the diet. In winter, a broader habitat niche was characteristic of the raccoon dog and red fox, as these predators used various forest and open habitats. Meanwhile, the pine marten was frequently recorded only in several forest habitats, open habitats being avoided. Consequently, a narrow habitat niche was characteristic of this predator. A more extensive food niche overlap was observed between the native species – the red fox and pine marten. A high habitat niche overlap was typical of all the species.