Abstract
Background. Burrows are an important resource and attract many animals. Badgers create complicated underground shelters that other species can use. The aim of our study was to estimate the activity of animals near the badger sett in the Pyriatynskyi National Nature Park. Such long-term observations near underground shelters are best carried out with the use of camera traps. Methods. The research was conducted in 2021–2023 on the territory of the Pyriatynskyi NNP (Poltava region, Lubny district). A BOLY BG310-MFP camera trap was installed near one main badger sett. Viewing, identification of animal species and classification of camera trap images was carried out using the digiKam program. Results. The camera trap at the Pyriatynskyi NNP worked for 295 trap-days and registered 545 events. At the main badger sett 19 species of animals were recorded: 13 mammals and 6 birds. The dominant activity was in badger, fox, roe deer, red squirrel and mouse-like rodents. According to the results of observations, all registered animals were divided into two classifications: by the type of connection with sett (residents, potential residents, foragers, visitors and not interested animals) and by the frequency of visits (permanent residents, regular visitors, irregular visitors and random visitors). Foragers near the badger sett are represented by the greatest species diversity (8 species). Half of the bird species were sett random visitors, only Eurasian jay regularly visited and examined the soil mound near the entrance. Conclusions. The main badger sett in the Pyriatynskyi NNP is an attractive object both for animals that can directly use it as a shelter, and for those that receive additional benefits, for example, preying nearby. The frequency of occurrence may be an indicator of the importance of the sett for animals, but the large number of events with roe deers and squirrels requires a separate study of this issue.
Publisher
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
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