A new study suggests that some species of carnivores like wild cats, bears, and civets may actually try to avoid each other in an effort conserve resources and survive.
Hiroshima University in Japan conducted a study on nine species over a period of three years. They did this at several sites in Borneo (the third largest island in Asia).
They found that six of the nocturnal species — three different civets, one wild cats, a skunk, and the linsang — had some overlaps in activity.
One of the wild cats or the mustelid (in the case of a smoot-otter), preferred to rummage during the day.
The bear was active at all times of the day, however.
From upper left to bottom right: Sun bears, marbled cats, flat-headed cats, smooth otters. Yellow-throated martens, Binturongs, Common palm civets, Malay civets. Civets, wild cats, and bears might avoid each other in an effort to save resources and survive. Experts examined 9 species at three Borneo sites over a period of three years.
They found that six of the nocturnal species — three different civets, one wild cats, a skunk, and the linsang — had overlaps in activity. One of the wild cats, the mustelid (in the case of a smoot-otter), preferred to rummage during the day. However, the bear was active during the day regardless of the time.
Researchers were shocked that one of two wild cats was active at night and the other was active throughout the day. They also noticed that all three civets were active at night, which could be due to a lack of food competition.
Miyabi Nakabayashi (lead author of the study) stated in a statement that ‘Information about the temporal activity patterns and animals is crucial for assessing responses to anthropogenic disturbances, and to allow the implementation proper conservation measures.
“Camera trapping” is one of the best techniques to study rare and cryptic animals.
This behavior, in which carnivores spend their time looking to find food, is not uncommon in the animal kingdom.
Australian researchers discovered earlier this year that different species of sharks hunt in shifts in order to avoid each other.
Over the three-year period, the researchers collected 37,379 photos using 73 cameras at three Borneo sites. The first camera was installed in 2010, and the last one removed in 2016.
Researchers collected 37,379 photos taken by 73 cameras during three years at three Borneo locations. The first camera was installed back in 2010 and the most recent removed in 2016.
Experts also suggested that tourism in the region may play a role in mammal behavior.
Nakabayashi stated that 20% of the world’s mammal-specific species are at risk of extinction. This is primarily due to overexploitation and habitat loss.
Only one of the three sites had nocturnal tourist events. The palm civets on the other two sites had ‘clear benefits’ at night, while those at the site with no-nightly tourism had ‘unclear or delayed temporal movement’
Only one of the three sites had nocturnal tourism events.
According to the statement, the palm civets at other sites had ‘clear benefits’ at night activity, while the civet at the site that offers nocturnal tourism had “unclear and delayed time movement.”
Nakabayashi said that ecotourism could have the potential to reduce wildlife threats.
“But, our results indicate that the time activity pattern of a species may be directly affected by tourism activity,” said Dr. Severin. It is important to evaluate the impact of tourism on animal behavior, even if it isn’t considered lethal ecotourism.
Researchers note that more research is needed in order to determine whether carnivores are actively trying to avoid one another or if there is something else causing them to distance from one another.
Researchers note that more research is needed in order to determine whether carnivores are actively trying to avoid one another or if there is something else causing them to distance from one another.
Nakabayashi stated, “Current information is too poor and sporadic in understanding basic behaviors of mammals, which could affect the progress towards evaluating and improving threatened status.”
“We should gather more information on rare species to determine the basic ecology of these species and to reassess our conservation management strategies.”
The study was published in Scientific Reports earlier this month.