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Predator Inventory and Prey Response

Predator Inventory and Prey Response. Alabama A&M By: Jen Backer Mentor: Dr. Stone. Research Objectives. Inventory predators in northern Alabama Observe prey response to predator scents. Trapping. Three Locations Nine Traps Data Collection. Trapping. Results

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Predator Inventory and Prey Response

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  1. Predator Inventory and Prey Response Alabama A&M By: Jen Backer Mentor: Dr. Stone

  2. Research Objectives • Inventory predators in northern Alabama • Observe prey response to predator scents

  3. Trapping • Three Locations • Nine Traps • Data Collection

  4. Trapping • Results • Thirteen Animals • Seven Raccoons • Four Opossums • Two Cats

  5. Hair Snares • Why did we set up hair snares? • Original Home Range • Extirpated • Recent confirmed sightings • Tennessee sightings • Return to AL? Chino Hills State Park

  6. Hair Snares 5/8” staples in carpet square Plywood vs carpet 3 scent lures with alcohol Catnip (McDaniel et al)‏

  7. Hair Snares 16 hair snares 8 locations Hair snares Funnel of sticks Slicker brush Pie pan

  8. Foraging of Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)‏ • Predator-prey relationships • Conservation • Economic • Previous studies • European rabbits do not avoid areas with pellets (Bakker, Reiffers, Olff, and Gleichman)‏ (Monclus, Rodel, Von Holst, and De Miguel)‏ • Secrets to success • Successful predator avoidance depends on many factors(Apfelbach, Blanchard, Blanchard, Hayes, and McGregor)‏

  9. Response to Predator Scent in Eastern Cottontail Eastern Cottontail was found at Bankhead National Forest. Pen: 8' x 8' Predict change in food preference

  10. Eastern Cottontail: Trial one Five food types All items are potential food items Ten grams each for five days Control to determine water loss Weighed at end of day to determine amount eaten for each day Preference indices and chi-square test to determine favorite food

  11. Eastern Cottontail: Trial two For the next five days, ten grams of each food item was provided. On the sweet potato tin, we applied the predator scent, All Call. Amount of food consumed was calculated at the end of the day.

  12. Eastern Cottontail: Chi-Results _________________________________________________________ % Used % AvailablePref. IndexChi-Square Control Bunny Treat 20.8 20 1.04 0.722 Sweet Potato 25.8 20 1.29 1.682 Carrot 23.1 20 1.16 0.481 Apple 15.8 20 0.79 0.882 Clover 14.6 20 0.73 1.458 Total: 5.225 Predator Scent Bunny Treat 30.3 20 1.52 5.304 Sweet Potato 0.0 20 0.00 20.000 Carrot 34.7 20 1.74 10.805 Apple 16.7 20 0.84 0.546 Clover 18.3 20 0.92 0.145 Total: 36.8 ________________________________________________________ Chi-Square Critical value: 9.488

  13. Mean percent consumption and P-values of t-tests of 5 different foods ControlPredator ScentP-value Bunny Treat 21.97 30.37 0.06 Sweet Potato 29.48 1.61 0.02 Carrot 28.80 38.12 0.03 Apple 6.71 14.16 0.23 Clover 13.08 15.40 0.49

  14. Percent of each food type consumed by an eastern cottontail prior to and following application of predator scent on its favorite food, sweet potato.

  15. Eastern Cottontail: Discussion Significance: Predator scents could be used to deter rabbits from eating crops and gardens Flaws: One rabbit Juvenile Duration Future studies: Multiple rabbits Random selection Multiple scents Maximum duration

  16. Opossums Control: 3 opossums on carpet Predator: 3 opossums on carpet near predator scent Every ten minutes, distance from square was measured Predict predator group would move further if there is any difference

  17. Opossum results Predator group stuck together Control first to separate and move away 109.4 cm difference between groups One from control climbed into scent

  18. Opossum Discussion • Results showed the opposite of what we expected • Why? • Too young to differentiate smells • Naïve to what smells indicate • Resemble smell of mother • Desire to stay together

  19. Acknowledgments • NSF • Alabama A&M • Northwest MO State • Dr. Moss • Dr. Stone • Dawn Lemke • Faculty and staff • Dale Stone • REU colleagues

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