1. Reproduction and Den Site Selection by Wolves in a Disturbed Landscape
- Author
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Amy L. Russell and David K. Person
- Subjects
geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,biology ,Ecology ,Logging ,Site selection ,STREAMS ,Old-growth forest ,biology.organism_classification ,Canis lupus ligoni ,Altitude ,Habitat ,Litter ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
We studied litter sizes, den characteristics, and den site selection by wolves (Canis lupus ligoni) on Prince of Wales and adjacent islands in Southeast Alaska, USA. The study area was extensively logged and roaded enabling us to examine effects of those factors on den site selection. We counted pups in dens during May using an infrared video camera with a flexible-shaft. We recorded habitat features at dens and used logistic regression to compare den site characteristics within 100-m and 1000-m circular buffers around dens with randomly matched unused locations. Litter size averaged 4.1 (SD = 1.7) pups, however, average litter sizes of six first-time breeding females were smaller ( = 3.0, SD = 2.5). Dens were located in root wads of large living or dead trees within old-growth forest stands
- Published
- 2009
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