Hide or die: use of cover decreases predation risk in juvenile North Axmerican porcupines

摘要: Abstract In many mammals, juveniles are vulnerable to predators because of their low mobility and small body size. Cover hides from has been assumed lower predation risk. However, among mammal species, studies relating use cover fitness remain infrequent have predominantly performed on ungulates. We measured habitat selection survival juvenile North American porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum). tested whether selected for cover, depended meteorological conditions (there could be a trade-off between risk radiative heat gain during sunny days), influenced survival. also examined how sex, mass, the juvenile, distance mother affected found that (14 individuals observed 299 occasions) high protective (microhabitat scale) within areas with herb (local scale). Use partly weather, dens d...