CARNIVORE USE OF AN AVOCADO ORCHARD IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

摘要: In southern California avocados are an important commercial fruit that often planted near or immediately adjacent to wildlands. Among cultivated fruits, unusually high in both lipids and proteins. Fruits remain green on the tree ripen only after they fall ground harvested. As a result, offer relatively constant, year-round food source form of unharvested, fallen fruit. 2005 for 5.5 months, we camera-trapped medium large mammals 13.5 ha 55.5 avocado orchard California. We also monitored subsequent removal quantify amount energy available estimated how much consumed. Cameras captured 7 carnivores: black bear, Ursus americanus, domestic dog, coyote, Canis latrans, bobcat, Lynx rufus, gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus, raccoon, Procyon lotor, striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis; non-carnivores included western squirrel, Sciurus griseus Virginia opossum, Didelphia virginiana. All but bobcats were photographed eating avocados. Black bears, foxes skunks frequented part least affected by human activities. contrast, coyotes raccoons more common where humans dogs present. Mammals consumed all nearly marked ground, usually within 50 days. small portion (<2%) total crop. Avocado orchards super-rich patches readily accessible array mammals.