Food habits of four sympatric carnivores in southeastern China

H Wang
TK Fuller

Publication Date

2003

Journal or Book Title

Mammalia

Abstract

The food habits and diet overlap of four sympatric small carnivore species were studied in a rural agricultural area of southeastern China by analyzing 37-112 scats of each species. Small Indian civets (Viverricula indica) ate mostly mammals, with moderate insect and plant components. Crab-eating mongooses (Herpestes urva) ate mammals, reptiles, insects, and crustaceans. Masked palm civets (Paguma Larvata) ate some mammals and insects, but mostly plants (fruits). Hog badgers (Arctonyx collaris) ate more mammals and gastropods than the other carnivores. Although diets were distinctly different, diet overlap among these species was relatively high and we speculate that this might reflect low population density due to harvesting by humans and secondary poisoning, and/or high rodent densities near agricultural-lands.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm-2003-0405

Volume

67

Issue

4

Pages

513-519

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