Behavioral Response of the Mammalian Community to River Otter Latrine Activity

Abstract

Mammals commonly use latrines to communicate with each other via behaviors, such as scent marking and defecation. Olfactory cues resulting from these behaviors may influence the behavior of other species in and around latrines. The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) is well known for its conspicuous use of latrines. We investigated whether latrine behavior of otters affected the behavior of other mammalian species. We used remote cameras to record activity patterns, visitation rates, and species richness at nine otter latrines located at five study sites across northern Indiana. We predicted the use of latrines by otters would result in the avoidance of latrines by other mammals in these riparian systems. Monthly mean species richness was lower at control sites than at latrine sites. Coyotes visited latrine sites more often than control sites, but all other species visited latrines and controls equally. Analysis of activity patterns revealed only white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiana) changed activity from primarily nocturnal at latrines to primarily diurnal activity at control sites. Our findings suggest otter latrine activity has minimal effect on the behavior of most other mammals. Therefore, surveying otter latrines with remote cameras may simultaneously provide unbiased estimates about the diversity of the riparian mammal community given mammals tended to visit latrine and control sites equally.