Habitat selection, activity rhythm and diet of Oncifelis guigna in the Laguna San Rafael National Park , XI Region, Chile

Abstract

An investigation o f habitat selection, activity rhythm and diet o f the kodkod was carried out using radio-telemetry techniques in a transitional Valdivian forest within the Laguna San Rafael National Park, southern Chile. Prey availability within the study site w as estimated from small mammal live trapping and diet was determined by faecal analysis. The mean home range size of the kodkod was estimated at 269 ha with considerable overlap o f ranges and core areas within individual ranges. Forest, thicket-forest, and scrub-thicket predominated in the ranges o f most individuals. With the exception of estepa and thicket, all other habitat types were used m ore fiequently than expected. The highest rodent densities were found in forest habitats and the most abundant species was Abrothrix olivaceus. Analysis o f 84 faecal samples showed the largest component o f diet to be small mammals (82%), followed by birds (23%), vegetative matter (2%) and invertebrates (1%).