Effect of spring removal experiments on the spacing behavior of female snowshoe hares

Abstract

On an area in the southern Yukon, four adult female snowshoe hares were removed in May 1979, 10 days before birth of the first litter. For the next 35 days, movements of the surrounding females were monitored by livetrapping and telemetry, and compared with those of females on a control area. The experiment was repeated in June 1979 by removing six more females. Animals adjacent to the removal areas did not shift their home ranges to cover the vacated area, nor did immigrants come in from further outside. Females did spend significantly more time on that portion of their range nearest the removal areas. Females use their home range in a manner that would be expected to avoid interaction. Spacing behavior following first litter conception did not limit breeding density.