Activity patterns and use of resting sites by polecats in an endangered population

Abstract

We investigated the activity and the use of resting sites of polecats Mustela putorius in the Gutland area of Luxembourg. Three years of radio-telemetry on 10 animals provided 103 all-night tracking sessions and 262 locations of diurnal resting sites. Polecats were active during 62% of the night. Males were more active than females, and activity increased from winter to summer. During daytime, polecats were located in 53 different resting sites. Above ground shelters were used more often than underground shelters. Heaps of branches, barns and stables, garden sheds and rat dens were the most used sites, without specific preference for any one type of shelter. However, human settlements seem to be of prime importance during severe weather conditions. The selection of such resting sites appeared to be based on thermal characteristics. This pattern of resting site use suggests that presence of suitable resting sites in winter is important for the conservation of the endangered polecat population in Luxembourg.