Report of attack by Neogale frenata (Carnivora, Mustelidae) on a chicken coop in Cuyuja, Napo, Ecuador

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59763/mam.aeq.v5i.66

Keywords:

Cuyuja, Gallus gallus, Cayambe Coca National Park, depredation, Temperate forest, Gallus gallus domesticus, Napo, Ecuador, poultry, human-fauna conflict

Abstract

In this scientific note, I document an attack by Neogale frenata (long-tailed weasel) on a chicken coop near Cuyuja, in the province of Napo, Ecuador. Early in the morning, in less than five minutes, the carnivore killed all 20 chickens in the coop with quick and effective bites to the neck, retreating into the forest carrying only one chicken. Although the carnivorous habits of weasels are frequently discussed in the literature, there are no specific reports detailing the behavior recorded in this scientific note.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Fagerstone, K. A. (1987). Black-footed ferret, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel, and least weasel. In M. Novak, J. A. Baker, M. E. Obbard, & B. Malloch (Eds.), Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America (pp. 548–573). Ontario Ministry of Resources.

Hall, E. R. (1951). American weasels. University of Kansas Publication, Museum of Natural History, 4, 1–46.

Larivière, S., & Jennings, A. P. (2009). Family Mustelidae (weasels and relatives). In D. E. Wilson & R. A. Mittermeier (Eds.), Handbook of the mammals of the world. Volume 1: Carnivores (pp. 564–656). Lynx Edicions.

MAE. (2013). Sistema de clasificación de los ecosistemas del Ecuador continental. Subsecretaría de Patrimonio Natural, Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador.

Mumford, R. E. (1969). Long-tailed weasel preys on big brown bats. Journal of Mammalogy, 50(2), 360. https://doi.org/10.2307/1378359 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1378359

Oksanen, T., Oksanen, L., & Fretwell, S. D. (1985). Surplus killing in the hunting strategy of small predators. The American Naturalist, 126(3), 328–346. https://doi.org/10.1086/284420 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/284420

Quick, H. F. (1944). Habits and economics of the New York weasel in Michigan. Journal of Wildlife Management, 8, 71–78. https://doi.org/10.2307/3796198 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3796198

Rosenzweig, M. L. (1966). Community structure in sympatric Carnivora. Journal of Mammalogy, 47(4), 603–612. https://doi.org/10.2307/1377891 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1377891

Sheffield, R., & Thomas, H. H. (1997). Mustela frenata. Mammalian Species, 570, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1644/0.570.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3504434

Tirira, D. G. (2017). A field guide to the mammals of Ecuador. Asociación Ecuatoriana de Mastozoología and Editorial Murciélago Blanco. Publicación Especial sobre los mamíferos del Ecuador 10.

Downloads

Published

2023-12-01

How to Cite

Tirira, D. G. (2023). Report of attack by Neogale frenata (Carnivora, Mustelidae) on a chicken coop in Cuyuja, Napo, Ecuador. Mammalia Aequatorialis, 5, 93–95. https://doi.org/10.59763/mam.aeq.v5i.66

Issue

Section

Scientific notes

Categories

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>