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Habitat utilization by the Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis in a savanna ecosystem
Author(s) -
Villiers Marienne S.,
Aarde Rudolph J.,
Dott Hector M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1994.tb00002.x
Subject(s) - porcupine , hystrix , habitat , biology , ecology , cape , ecosystem , wildlife , geography , archaeology
Habitat utilization on three scales by Cape porcupines (Hystrix africaeaustralis) was investigated in a savanna ecosystem at Nylsvley Nature Reserve in the northern Transvaal, South Africa. On the macroscale, radiotelemetry indicated that porcupines preferred broad‐leaf Burkea savanna to Acacia savanna. The individual variation in macroscale habitat preferences indicates that porcupines may be constrained in their use of habitats by territoriality. On the intermediate scale, no specific feeding areas within the home ranges of porcupines could be identified by using overlapping radiotelemetry circles. On the microscale, observations of two leash‐walked porcupines indicated that feeding patches are not randomly located but correspond to the distribution of certain plant species important in the diet of porcupines. Patches may be identified or protected by means of scent‐marking.