Intensive Exploitation of Amphibians by Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in the Wołosaty Stream, Southeastern Poland

摘要: Eurasian otters, top predators of freshwater ecosystems, are food limited; thus, species conservation plans should consider local resources. We used spraint (faecal) analysis to assess diet otters inhabiting a river in the Polish Carpathians. Although elsewhere their range feed mostly on fish, our study area amphibians were equally important prey (43% all occurrences, 54% estimated biomass consumed prey). Amphibians dominated otter winter and spring, occurred as often fish autumn. Only summer was amphibian occurrence marginal. Typically, two factors explain seasonally high consumption amphibians: limited availability gathered spawn or hibernate. However, such energetic costs hunting may also cause seasonal changes feeding behavior. Low water temperatures might increase cost fishing cold seasons force seek an alternative prey. This raises th...