Use of space by the four-toed elephant-shrew Petrodromus tetradactylus (Macroscelidae) in Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa)
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Ian Linn
Abstract
Four four-toed elephant-shrews Petrodromus tetradactylus were radio-tracked at Sodwana Bay National Park in the dune forest situated on sand-hills above the high water mark along the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Tracking was conducted over 5 months during summer and the results were used to explore the use of space by the elephant-shrews. None of the topographical or vegetational features of the study area had any great influence on the distribution of the elephant-shrews. Both sexes occupied highly symmetrical (circular) home ranges that were similar in area. The elephant-shrews showed considerable fidelity to their home ranges, which had long-term permanence, but were not obviously defended as territories. Activity of the elephant-shrews, monitored for the first time during 24 h in the wild, was strongly crepuscular, with intense activity around dusk and dawn, much reduced during the day, with complete cessation of activity at night. There was considerable overlap between individual home ranges, suggesting a high population density. This may be related to the mild climate and ample food supply of the dune forest of northern KwaZulu-Natal or to the season of observation.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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