Interspecific Burrow Sharing between Mammals in Countryside in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) have been observed using burrows made by Japanese badgers (Meles anakuma). However, basic information, including how and when the species share the burrows, is scarce. In this study, a camera trap was set at a burrow entrance used by badgers, and different mammals that used the burrow were investigated. Burrow uses by six identified mammalian species and unidentified species from two mammal groups (rodents and bats) were confirmed. The capture frequency of rodents increased, when that of three Carnivora species decreased. Accordingly, rodents might use the burrow selectively during seasons when carnivore usage of the burrow was low. Raccoon dogs, red foxes, and Japanese badgers showed considerable searching behavior, the frequency of which differed significantly among these species. Raccoon dogs and red foxes seemed to avoid contact with Japanese badgers by performing more searching than badgers. Therefore, the mammals engaged in interspecific burrow sharing are likely to exhibit temporal differentiation.