Foraging plasticity in a highly specialized carnivore, the endangered black-footed ferret

摘要: Abstract The extirpation of black-footed ferrets ( Mustela nigripes ) from the wild resulted rangewide decline prairie dogs Cynomys spp.) brought about by poisoning campaigns, arrival an exotic disease, and habitat loss. It is widely accepted that are obligate, near monophagous, dietary specialist high-density dog colonies necessary for effective recovery. To test extent to which specialists, we measured stable isotopic values 321 known age sex as well their potential prey (e.g., dogs, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits). Our results confirmed most common diet item ferrets, although possessed greater foraging plasticity than previously reported, consuming substantial quantities other species. degree were specialized on differed between age–sex groups. Adult male juvenile had equivalent diets, with constituting nearly 75% assimilated diet. In contrast, adult females obtained over one third species, notably mice. However, female appeared have provisioned dependent offspring. Conservation North America’s endangered mammals, will require not just prey, but also prey-rich provide.