Feeding habits of Molina´s hog-nosed skunk in Pampas Grassland of Argentina

CASTILLO,DIEGO F; LUENGOS VIDAL, ESTELA MARIS; CASANAVE, EMMA BEATRIZ; LUCHERINI, MAURO

MAMMALIA

WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2014 vol. 78 p. 476 - 489

0025-1461

We studied the feeding ecology of Molina´s hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga) in a protected area of the Pampas grassland by comparing the content of scats (140 samples)to prey abundance (based on the invertebrates captured in 38 pitfall trap grids). Fecal analysis showed a largely insectivorous diet, small vertebrates and carrion being minor alternative resources. Almost all invertebrate prey was significantly more abundant in the warm period than the cold period, whereas skunk diet did not vary seasonally. Even though Molina´s hog nosed skunks were considered to be opportunistic foragers due to their wide tropic niche, our results indicate that, in spite of their generalism, they consumed several prey items in different proportions than expected by their availability.