The influence of close-range radio-tracking on the behavior of free-ranging Striped Skunks, Mephitis mephitis

Abstract

We assessed the influence of close-range radio-tracking on the behavior of Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in southcentral Saskatchewan. Thirty-five skunks were radio-tracked for 1873 h from April through August, 1993-1994. Most locations (87%) were performed at a distance > 10 m from radio-tracked skunks, whereas 46% were at distances >20 m. Distance travelled between consecutive 15-min locations was not influenced by human disturbance (P = 0.67), or by distance from human observer (P = 0.09). Skunks did not seek taller or shorter cover following disturbance (P = 0.21) or among observation types (visual, auditive, or triangulation; P = 0.57). However, disturbed skunks remained in the same habitat more than undisturbed skunks (P = 0.03). We recommend that locations immediately following observer-induced disturbances be excluded in the analysis of space-use patterns of this species. We nonetheless consider close-range radio-tracking a better technique than remote triangulation, especially for disturbance-tolerant species in fine-grained environments.