Prey selection by caracal in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2004
Authors:Melville, HIAS, Bothma, Jd, Mills, MGL
Journal:South African Journal of Wildlife Research
Volume:34
Pagination:67-75
Date Published:2004
Keywords:Caracal caracal
Abstract:

In the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, 116 caracal (Caracal caracal) scat samples were collected and 327 attempted hunts were reconstructed from spoor-tracking. The data were analysed to establish the prey use of caracals in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and to study the extent to which caracals use small stock by moving into the adjacent farmland in Namibia. It was found that the primary prey resource was small mammals, the vast majority of which were rodents, including springhare (Pedetes capensis). Larger prey animals included steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) and smaller carnivores up to the size of a black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas). Birds were an abundant prey resource, especially the larger ground-roosting species. Invertebrate remains were found in a large proportion of the scats, indicating that they were commonly used as a source of food. Domestic livestock remains were identified in eight of the scat samples and the temporal distribution of these indicated an increased use of domestic livestock by caracals in the cold season.

Taxonomic name: 
Thu, 2014-03-20 12:54 -- admin
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5ade1b012674ce3dd941e2ea5dd15cc1.jpg?d=https%3A//mammals.indianbiodiversity.org/sites/all/modules/contrib/gravatar/avatar.png&s=100&r=G
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith