Ontogeny of black-footed ferret predatory behavior towards prairie dogs

Abstract

To study the effects of environmental upbringing and predation experience on black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) predatory skills towards prairie dogs, we compared killing efficiency and behaviors of 32 black-footed ferret kits (from 24 different litters). Four treatment groups were established: group 1 (n = 8), kits raised in indoor cages and never exposed to live prey; group 2 (n = 8), kits raised in indoor cages and fed live hamsters twice a week beginning at 8 weeks of age; group 3 (n = 8), kits raised in indoor cages, fed live hamsters, and exposed to live prairie dogs in family trials once per week; and group 4, kits raised in outdoor enclosures with ad libitum access to live prairie dogs in natural burrows. Juvenile black-footed ferrets raised with exposure to live hamsters were more successful at killing prairie dogs than kits devoid of any predation experience. Previous experience with prairie dogs (in both indoor cages and outdoor pens) significantly increased predation efficiency. Witnessing a black-footed ferret mother performing a kill enhanced the kit's predatory skills. We conclude that the placement of the kill bite appears to be innate for black-footed ferrets, but the likelihood of killing and the efficiency at handling prey are substantially enhanced by experience.