Abstract
Feeding habits, food niche breadth and overlap among the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), pine marten (Martes martes L.) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray) were studied in clay plain landscape, Lithuania, using faecal analysis. The frequency of occurrence and consumed biomass were evaluated. In the cold season (November–March), small mammals and carrion of ungulates was the principal food of all the three predator species. For the pine marten birds were an important food component too. The warm period (April–October) was characterized by a wider prey spectrum. The red fox preyed mainly on small mammals, but consumption of plants and carrion of ungulates was significant. Small mammals, plants and birds were the staple food for the pine marten. The raccoon dog diet was dominated by plants, carrion of ungulates, small mammals and invertebrates. Food niche of carnivores was wider in the warm season, except for the red fox, whose niche was wider in the cold season. Dietary overlap among all the species was more intensive in the cold season. In both seasons, the most intensive overlap was established between the raccoon dog and pine marten.
Published Version
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