The European badger (Meles meles) and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are the two most common mesocarnivores in Hungary. The populations of both species are increasing. The badger has settled in various habitats in the last two decades, while the red fox can often be seen in urban habitats. Due to their wide tolerance of environmental conditions wildlife managers and conservation experts realized that both species have an important (predatory) role in many ecosystems. During the course of our research we examined the preferred locations of the den sites of the European badger and the red fox on the basis of set locations for both species in various areas across Hungary (badger: n = 142, fox: n = 113). Our aim was to find out whether there is a connection between these species’ habitat selection on a small scale (locally) and on a large scale (at countrywide level). Field data were collected in four hilly areas and four lowland areas in Hungary. Badgers preferred deciduous and coniferous forests, and rarely used open areas, whereas foxes did not seem to use either coniferous forests or open areas. In the case of both species the preferred locations of the den sites were sharply demarcated in coniferous forests.
The diet of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cubs living in a moor in Hungary was studied by scat analysis (n = 77) during the rearing period. The main food source of foxes consisted of small mammals (preferred Microtus voles) which was supplemented with brown hare and gamebirds rarely. Cubs ate remains of carrions (domestic animals, ungulates and carnivores) and invertebrates frequently but in low quantity. The food consisted of characteristically terrestrial, occasionally aquatic and rarely arboreal prey.
Diet composition of the golden jackal (Canis aureus, L.) in Bulgaria, where the largest jackal population in Europe occurs, has been studied by scat analysis in a typical and newly occupied agricultural environment. The study was carried out during late summer and early autumn, a period when small mammal density is high. The food of the jackal typically consisted of small-sized and wild-living prey species. Rodents have been found to represent the primary food of the jackal (biomass estimation: 59.3 %, mainly Microtus spp.), and the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus, 20.1 %) and plants (19.7 %, mainly fruits) are secondary foods. Other prey, such as birds (mainly passerines), reptiles and invertebrates had been consumed in a low biomass ratio. No remains of wild ungulate and domestic animals have been detected in the studied scats.
The seasonal diet composition of otters (Lutra lutra) living by an eutrophic fish pond system, a wetland alder forest, and a slow-flowing stream located in south-west Hungary was investigated by spraint analysis (n = 801, 116 and 234 samples respectively). Both percentage relative frequency of occurrence (O%) and biomass (B%) of food items (calculated by coefficients of digestibility) were estimated. The food composition of the otters living by the three areas differed significantly (PAstacus spp.) was dominant (54 O% and 62 B%). Close correlation was found between relative frequency of occurrence and biomass of food items.
The diet of weasel (Mustela nivalis) collected in agricultural mosaic plain regions of Hugary was studied using the analysis of stomach and rectum contents (n = 155). As a percentage relative frequency of occurrence, diets consisted of 85% small rodents (mainly Microtus spp.), 10% birds (mainly Passeriformes), and lizard, wasp, blood and plant matter. Consumption of small mammals increased from winter to summer and autumn. No predation on lagomorphs was found. Standardized trophic niche breadth was very narrow (mean, Bsta= 0.07). The food consisted of characteristically small (15–50 g) and terrestrial prey.
Diet composition and feeding habits of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) living on three moors (Baláta, Nagyberek and Fehérvíz) in Hungary were studied over two years using spraint analysis (n = 199, 503 and 315 samples from the three moors, respectively). The food and presence of otters in the first moderate and second drought year, when the moors dried during the summer period, generally differed. Area-dependent variations in the diet were also found. The primary food source was fish (biomass estimation for the first and second year: Baláta 94.4% and 99.9%; Nagyberek 93.9% and 71.5%; Fehérvíz 66.4% and 82.1%). Most fish (mean: 94.6–99.9%) were small-sized (below 100 g in weight), and the most frequently taken species was Carassius spp. On moors, which are dependent on rainfall and ground-water only, during or after periods of drought otters temporarily changed their diet from optimal prey (fish) to sub-optimal prey (e.g., waterfowl) and they often left the habitat entirely. On moors with small canals, during periods of drought otters kept fish as the dominant food source, and weathered out extreme environmental local conditions.
The feeding habits of the stone marten (Martes foina) were studied by scat analysis in a village (n = 423 samples) and its surrounding agricultural environment (n= 572), during a six-year study (three periods), in southwest Hungary. Birds (relative frequency 20%, mainly small perching birds) and plants (35%, mainly orchard fruit) were the most important foods for the martens living in the village. Small mammals (29%, mainly voles) and plants (34%, mainly fruit) were the main food resources for the stone martens living in the agricultural environment. With respect to diet composition environment-dependent difference proved significant, but intra-environment difference did not. In comparison with those living in the agricultural environment the stone martens studied living in the village consumed more frequently: 1) heavier prey (greater consumption of domestic animals), 2) arboreal prey (e.g. birds) and 3) prey associated with human settlements (e.g. house mouse, house sparrow, domestic animals).
In early spring of 2007, unusual feeding behaviour was observed for the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) when a cache of toads (n = 18), black bullheads (n = 2) and great diving beetles (min. 58 ind.) were found in a hollow tree-trunk on the shores of an oxbow lake near the River Danube. Spraint analysis identified the primary food of otters in the area to be fish, with non-fish (buffer) prey of very low importance. As the otter consumed almost exclusively fish, and appeared to store mainly buffer food items, this may indicate that either preferred fish were less available (limited) or that non-fish items were relatively more abundant for a short period during the mild ‘cold’ winter and spring period. The otter had abandoned this particular cache. Food caching is an important dietary adaptation for many species, providing readily available food during periods when fresh food may be difficult to find.