Habitat selection and daily activity patterns of Herpestes urva in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve

A study on the habitat selection and daily activity patterns of Herpestes urva (small Indian mongoose) in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve reveals significant adaptive behaviors influenced by environmental factors. The research, conducted from 2017 to 2019 using 41 infrared cameras, found that this species predominantly inhabits evergreen deciduous broad-leaved forests and avoids coniferous-broadleaf mixed forests, with occupancy rates negatively correlated with altitude and distance from water sources. Notably, activity peaks during the rainy season (April-September), accounting for 83.5% of annual activity, and follows a diurnal pattern with high activity between 11:00-13:00. These findings highlight the species' adaptation to Fanjingshan's unique mountain climate and vegetation, differing from other distribution areas due to varying predator risks and human interference.

WANG Cheng, 王丞，王亚强，李海波，冉伟，杨朝辉，樊涵，张明明. (2021). Habitat selection and daily activity patterns of Herpestes urva in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb202004130878