Activity pattern of Geoffroy's cats (Leopardus geoffroyi) during a period of food shortage.

摘要: Abstract The activity pattern of mammalian carnivores is influenced by several factors, including environmental conditions, interference from competitors, and behavioral thermoregulation. Facing extreme conditions the rhythm animals may change. patterns Geoffroy’s cats (Leopardus geoffroyi) were studied during a period prey scarcity in scrubland area central Argentina, based on five individuals radio-collared monitored radio-telemetry. Activity readings recorded every 15 min 6- to 24-h observation periods, total 3121 fixes totaling 780.3 h monitoring gathered for these cats. significantly more active daytime (58.1 ± 9.4% fixes) than night (33.6 ± 2.9%). Although they at any time day, an peak was 12.00 17.00 h. This opposite those observed other areas or even that this species same higher abundance. apparent shift toward diurnal could be response combination ecological (prey availability, predators competition avoidance) physiological (energy saving) factors. are behaviorally flexible, but ability not enough maintain survival (and population size) under harsh conditions.