DEN-SITE SELECTION IN THE ISLAND SPOTTED SKUNK OF SANTA-CRUZ-ISLAND, CALIFORNIA

Dens are important ecological characteristics of carnivores, yet littl e is known of the denning ecology of the island spotted skunk, an insu lar endemic subspecies whose continued existence is uncertain. Den cha racteristics and patterns of use were quantified for the island spotte d skunk of Santa Cruz Island by locating eight radio-collared individu als. Skunks readily excavated dens in a variety of substrates, includi ng earth and roots beneath shrubs, cavities in rocks, open grassy area s, road cuts, human-made structures, and trunks and roots of oaks. Ind ividual skunks used several dens distributed throughout their home ran ges. Some dens were used by more than one skunk, yet only females shar ed dens simultaneously. Overall, skunks seemed opportunistic in their den-site selection, suggesting that dens may not be a limiting factor for island spotted skunk populations.