Felid bedrooms with a panoramic view: selection of resting sites by Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in a karstic landscape

Abstract

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is a crepuscular-nocturnal carnivore and mostly spends daytime resting. Although resting sites represent an important part of the lynx habitat and can be negatively affected by human activities, it is still poorly known how lynx select these sites, especially in regions with rugged topography characteristic for much of the species’ range. We analysed microscale habitat selection of lynx resting sites at the home-range level in a karstic landscape of the Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia, using a use-availability study design. We also searched for differences in the selection of resting sites in respect to the presence of ungulate kills, which often limit the available resting sites during the prey-consumption period. Using generalised linear mixed models (GLMM), we tested which environmental features and human infrastructure are important for lynx when choosing resting sites. Lynx selected mountain ridges and hilltops, as well as locations with steeper slopes and lower local visibility. Such locations likely provide concealment from potential danger or prey and, at the same time, offer good overview of the surroundings. There was also a tendency to avoid forest cabins and to select rocky terrain and southern exposures, but support in the data for this was lower. When lynx were not limited by the presence of fresh kill, the selection tended to be stronger, but the differences were not significant, except for visibility, which was lower at resting sites near prey remains. Results likely reflect high availability of suitable resting sites in a rugged terrain of karstic landscape. Animals are often most vulnerable during sleep, thus the resting site should ideally provide them with cover to reduce exposure and at the same time give them good overview of the surroundings to detect any approaching danger. We used snow tracking and GPS telemetry, for the first time in combination with data from activity sensors, to reliably determine resting sites of Eurasian lynx in a rugged karstic landscape. We showed how lynx face the trade-off of the need to be concealed, yet at the same time attain good view, by selecting structured microhabitats on top of the ridges and on steep slopes. Our results also suggest that in the regions with rugged terrain the influence of human infrastructure might be lower compared to the study areas of previous research.