Survival, home range patterns, probable causes of mortality, and den-site selection of the Iberian hare (Lepus, Leporidae, Mammalia) on arable farmland in north-west Spain

Abstract

Although the Iberian hare is important to Spanish ecosystems and a valued game species, little is known about the survival and spatial behaviour of the species, which are crucial for correct management decisions. This paper studies the survival, home range, probable causes of mortality and den-site selection for 23 wild Iberian hares Lepus granatensis. We used radio telemetry to monitor hares on arable farmland in north-west Spain where habitat management measures were taken, control of predators was carried out and hunting was not allowed. Survival for the period studied (300 days) was 13% and average home range size (MCP 95%) was 39.6 ha. Probable causes of death included predation by wild canids (52%), disease (13%), roadkills (9%), and unknown (26%) for hares we studied. The red fox Vulpes vulpes was the main predator, whereas no raptor predation was reported. Den-site selection was affected by habitat type and hares showed a high preference for uncultivated land. Home range size tended to decrease when hares selected uncultivated land, grassland and lucerne, which were transition zones between shrubland, forest, and cultivated lands. © 2012 Copyright 2012 Unione Zoologica Italiana.