Graduation Date
Summer 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources, option Wildlife
Committee Chair Name
Tim Bean
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Micaela Szykman Gunther
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Daniel Barton
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Wildlife
Abstract
Species are often challenged by periodic changes in food availability and habitat quality. These environmental conditions may provide strong selective pressure for animals to strategically "scout" for important resources during periods of abundance, when exploratory movements are less costly. North American porcupines experience a drastic shift in forage quality from summer - a time of abundant, high quality forage - to winter, a nutritional bottleneck. I evaluated potential scouting behaviors of porcupines in Tolowa Dunes State Park, California using movement and habitat-use data. I compared summer and winter space use of porcupines using GPS data and monitored seasonal use of winter habitat with the use of trail cameras. I also measured nutritional and structural variables of these habitats and used these data to model potential drivers of scouting behavior. Results provided evidence for scouting, suggesting that structural characteristics of winter habitat were driving summer movements. Specifically, it appears porcupines sampled winter habitat randomly during summer. Then, they selected a subsample of those areas to use during winter using information about habitat structure, rather than winter forage quality. Porcupines in Tolowa may be limited by potential areas to seek refuge from winter rainfall and cold temperatures. More broadly, these results provide evidence of a previously undescribed search behavior that other species may be utilizing to inform selection or resources and habitat. More research is needed to improve our understanding of the way scouting is exhibited across taxonomic groups and habitat types.
Citation Style
Journal of Wildlife Management
Recommended Citation
Belamaric, Pairsa N., "Evidence for a new search behavior: porcupines “scout” for winter habitat during summer in a coastal dune system" (2019). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 302.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/302