The best snacks for kids: the importance of beavers Castor fiber in the diet of wolf Canis lupus pups in north-western Poland. Issue 6 (2nd November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mysłajek, Robert W.; Tomczak, Patrycja; Tołkacz, Katarzyna; Tracz, Maciej; Tracz, Magdalena; Nowak, Sabina
• Is Part Of: Ethology, ecology & evolution. Volume 31:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 506
• Page End: 513
• Publication Date: 2019-11-02
• Subjects: alternate prey -- diet composition -- predation -- prey switching; predator-prey; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Animal ecology -- Periodicals; Behavior evolution -- Periodicals; Behavior, Animal -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Biological Evolution -- Periodicals; Écologie animale -- Périodiques; Évolution du comportement -- Périodiques; Éthologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Animal ecology; Behavior evolution; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 591.5
• DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2019.1624278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0394-9370

Abstract

Abstract : We assessed the diet of adult wolves and their pups in an area recently recolonized by the species in north-western Poland, through the analysis of scats. Adult wolves preyed mostly on wild ungulates (94.8% of food biomass), with roe deer (45.0%) and red deer (37.8%) being the most important food sources, and occasionally on beavers (5.6%). Pups ate less ungulates (76.3%), but many more beavers (19.8%). Our study documented the importance of beavers as a food source for wolf pups in regions recolonized by the species in Central Europe, and highlighted the necessity for studies on ontogenetic changes in the wolf diet.