Feeding habits of Visayan leopard and cats (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori) in sugarcane fields of Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Date

4-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Wildlife Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Anna Pauline O. De Guia

Abstract

ABSTRACT FERNANDEZ, DESAMARIE ANTONETTE P., University of the Philippines Los Banos, Bachelor of Science in Biology, March 2010. Feeding Habits of Visayan Leopard Cats (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori) in Sugarcane Fields of Negros Occidental, Philippines. ADVISER: Dr. Anna Pauline 0. de Guia The Visayan leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis rabori) is a small wild fetid of the Negros-Panay faunal region of the Philippines. In Negros Occidental, many individuals wander into sugarcane fields and game fowl farms due to the declining forests, causing locals to believe that they eat sugarcane or prey on chicks. This study was conducted to determine the actual feeding habits of Visayan leopard cats through scat analysis. The cuticular and medullary patterns of hair from 25 scats collected from May to October 2009 were analyzed to identify prey species. Results suggest that there are no defined areas where leopard cat scats and scats from other animals are found. No scats were collected from May to June while the first scats were collected in July, increasing until October. Results suggest that the presence of Visayan leopard cats in sugarcane fields is influenced by the growth and increase in sugar content of sugarcane 1 which attracts rodents. The main prey species consumed by Visayan leopard cats were Mus musculus (96%), Rattus exulans (96%), Rattus argentiventer (64%), and Rattus tanezumi (32%) concurring with many studies that small mammals are the main prey items of leopard cats. Also, results showed that Visayan leopard cats do not eat birds or plant matter exclusively, contrary to local belief.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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