Some species of carnivores, like bears, wild cats and civets may actually avoid each other in an effort to conserve resources and survive, a new study suggests.
A group of researchers, led by those at Japan's Hiroshima University, looked at nine species (a bear, three different civets, two wild cats, a skunk, a mustelid and a linsang) over a span of more than three years at different sites in Borneo, the third largest island in the world.
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 and the mustelid (in this case, a smoot otter) preferred rummaging during the day time.
Conversely, the bear was active throughout the day, regardless of time.
From upper left to lower right: Sun bear, Marbled cat, Flat-headed cat, Smooth otters, Yellow-throated marten, Banded linsang, Binturong, Common palm civet, Malay civet. Some carnivores like bears, wild cats and civets may avoid each other to conserve resources and survive. Experts looked at 9 species over more than three years at three sites on Borneo
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 and the mustelid (in this case, a smoot otter) preferred rummaging during the day time. Conversely, the bear was active throughout the day, regardless of time
The researchers were surprised that one of the wild cats was active at night while the other was active during the day and that the three civets were all active at night, suggesting it may be due to limited competition for food.
'Information regarding temporal activity patterns of animals is crucial to assess responses to anthropogenic disturbances and to allow the implementation of proper conservation measures,' the study's lead author, Miyabi Nakabayashi, said in a statement.
'Camera trapping is one of the most useful techniques to study cryptic and rare
