Rest-Site Use and the Apparent Rarity of an Ozark Population of Plains Spotted Skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta)

Abstract

Spilogale putorius interrupta (Plains Spotted Skunk) experienced range-wide declines beginning in the 1940s, and knowledge of population persistence and basic habitat requirements of the taxon remains limited. We surveyed for a population of the subspecies in the forested Ozark region of Arkansas. We deployed a dense camera-trap grid (>8000 trap-nights across a 24,611-ha study area) and recorded individuals on 6 occasions at 4 sites; their detection rate was amongst the lowest of all detected species. There were no observed differences between occupied and unoccupied sites. We captured and deployed radio-collars on 2 individuals that were tracked to 12 rest sites. Groundcover was sparse at rest sites, perhaps due to use of rocky outcrops by both individuals.