Radiotelemetry Studies of Feral Hogs in South Carolina

摘要: Movement patterns and behavior of feral hogs (Sus scrofa) were studied in the Upper Coastal Plain South Carolina. Seven (four boars three sows) radio-tracked for periods ranging from 1 to 10 months. One hundred fifty-two 24-hour tracking 2,021 radio visual locations obtained on these individuals. Home ranges five most intensively varied 304 1,975 acres with a mean 979 acres. Two sows that gave birth while being tracked had much smaller (42 74 acres) during farrowingfperiod. Seasonal shifts range exhibited by two apparently related changes food availability. Distances between extreme averaged 0.69 mile 0.38 sows. No significant differences (P > 0.05) found daily movements except late pregnancy when highly reduction (P<0.01) sows' occurred. Hogs diurnal activity cycles October through May, but nocturnal movement significantly increased (P<0.0S) summer. There was also more < moonlit nights than dark nights. Bottomlands preferred habitat June there into pine plantations. statistically relationships evident distances moved temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure. Observations breeding, prenatal postnatal behavior, social organization are reported. Feral areas throughout southeastern United States. In some locations, they important game animals, and, other areas, considered economically pests. Our study objectives use radio-location techniques obtain detailed information patterns, home ranges, cycles, preference, hogs. Radio-location studies or European wild have not been reported previously. Some data swine observations tag returns ( Pullar l9S0, Wodzicki 1950, Hanson Karstad l9S9). Stegeman 1938, Lewis 1966, Matschke Hardister l9B6), although their is probably direcdy comparable swine. Present address: Georgia Department Natural Resources, Gaine Fish Division, Fort Valley. 1240 The authors acknowledge financial support Forest Research Council under Project No. S3-319; University Georgia, School Savannah River Ecology Laloratory contract AT(391)410 U. S. Atomic Energy Commissio1l; Service. We thank I. L. Brisbin, J. H. Jenkins, A. Johnson, F. E. Kellogg, Provost assistance preparation manuscript.