Spacing strategy in stoat Mustela erminea

摘要: Distribution and dispersal were examined by capture-recapture (362 captures of 105 individuals), snow-tracking telemetry (15 individuals). Dominance agonistic behaviour observed in experiments. The population occurred four different areas, with restricted interchange individuals. In autumn, spacing-out systems established local groups stoats. Resident males females excluded other members their own sex from terriories. that hunted more than the small rodent tunnels, often exploited a part male's territory. Adult dominated juvenile which occupied areas outside adults' territories. young usually settled native remained there throughout life. This was predicted as favourable tactics. Juvenile too generally autumn winter, but moved extensively spring. Increased locomotory activity at time directed to mating maintaining Some themselves including breeding females, behaved transients. Experiments indicated scent marking be important territorial defence, visual acoustic signals close contacts. After settlement defence largely performed connection foraging.