Grassman, L.I., Jr., Tewes, M.E. & Silvy, N.J. 2005: Ranging, habitat use and activity patterns of binturong Arctictis binturong and yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula in north-central Thailand. - Wildl. Biol. 11: 49-57.
The binturong Arctictis binturong and yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula are widely distributed through much of Southeast Asia, yet their natural history remains poorly understood. We radio-collared and tracked five male binturongs, and five yellow-throated martens (four males and one female) for 4-23 months in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. For binturongs, mean annual range size (± SD; 95% minimum convex polygon) was 6.2 km2 (± 1.0), and mean range overlap was 35%. Wet season ranges were larger for most binturongs. Binturong mean daily distance was 688 m (± 667). A cumulative activity pattern of 47% indicated that binturongs were arrhythmic and crepuscular. Yellow-throated martens showed an annual range of 7.2 km2 (± 4.3) and exhibited overlapping ranges of 34%. Yellow-throated martens traveled an average of 966 m/day (± 834) and activity (58%) was characterized as diurnal, but increases in nocturnal activity increased during lunar nights (± 7 days from full moon).
Key words: activity patterns, Arctictis binturong, binturong, habitat use, Martes flavigula, range size, Thailand, yellow-throated marten
Lon I. Grassman, Jr. & Michael E. Tewes, Feline Research Program, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, MSC 218, 700 University Blvd., Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA - e-mail addresses: lon.grassman@tamuk.edu (Lon I Grassman); michael.tewes@tamuk.edu (Michael E. Tewes)
Nova J. Silvy, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, 210 Nagle Hall, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA - e-mail: n-silvy@tamu.edu
Corresponding author: Lon I. Grassman, Jr.
Received 11 November 2003, accepted 4 March 2004
Associate Editor: Asir J.T. Johnsingh