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Highlights

  • Chiropterophagy by the Siberian weasel in the Russia Far East
  • Siberian weasels do not rely on caves for chiropterophagy every winter
  • Siberian weasels enter caves due to food shortages
  • Weather conditions do not influence Siberian weasel cave entry
  • Chiropterocapy refers to predators feeding on resting bats

Abstract

Chiropterophagy is a widespread phenomenon, but only one case of bat consumption by sable has been documented in the Russian Far East. This study presents the first recorded instance of chiropterophagy by the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica) in the southern Russian Far East, based on excrement collected from the Solyanik Cave in the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains in 2007. The excrement included bones from three bat species (Murina hilgendorfi, Myotis bombinus, Plecotus ognevi) and one vole species (Myodes rutilus). Our findings suggest that the Siberian weasel visits caves during the cold season, although not annually. These visits appear to be correlated with food shortages rather than adverse weather conditions. Additionally, we propose the term "chiropterocapy" to describe a specific foraging strategy where predators consume bats at rest.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.53.3.2525

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Creative Commons License
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