• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Mammals in the National Hunting Grounds of Mafra The Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Larger than its related fallow deer, this species proves ly during the night. They inhabit the less frequently rarely make recourse to feeding troughs such is their highly imposing. Male red deer display branches of visited zones of the Hunting Grounds, with plenty of level of unwillingness to interact with human beings. pointed tipped antlers in a formation equal to that areas for taking refuge with exception of the breed- The fawns, one per female, are normally born earlier of the fallow deer. Indeed, this species does keep to a ing season (autumn) when the species becomes less than the fallow deer (May/June) and also after around life cycle and behaviours similar to those described for concerned about any human presence. The National seven months of gestation. They first display a mot- fallow deer. The bellow of this species is more tuneful Hunting Grounds of Mafra are home to a wild popu- tled tone but this begins disappearing at around the if only because male adults defend territories span- lation of around 50 with a further few living in enclo- age of three to four months. The hides of both young ning large areas. They are shyer in habit and normally sures. The species is herbivorous and thus feeding off and adults is always in homogenous brown tones irre- more active in the early dawn and where not actual- fruits, grass and the sprouts of trees and bushes. Deer spective of the season of the year. Red Fox Genet The Egyptian Mongoose (Vulpes vulpes) (Genetta genetta) (Herpestes ichneumon) The red fox is a Canidae that roams freely and abun- Resembling a small sized cat, this species has With its long body and short legs, this species has dantly throughout the National Hunting Grounds nocturnal habits and shuns attention and is cor- daily habits but its shy behaviour renders it diffi- of Mafra even while its effective total population re- respondingly difficult to spot. The genet is a car- cult to spot or observe. The animal frequently raises mains unknown. This a territorial animal that demar- nivorous species and feeding off rodents, birds itself up on its hind legs to better observe its sur- cates its borders by faeces (placed on tufts of grass or and even reptiles and is a particularly capable roundings. This carnivorous species feeds primarily stones), urine and other secretions. Within this terri- climber. off rabbits, rodents, birds, eggs and reptiles. They live tory, the fox digs its network of burrow. Reproduction Due to its habit of always depositing its excre- in family groups formed by the female, her offspring takes place in December and January and after around ment in the same place — latrines—, the animal’s and young (from the previous breeding season). The 50 days, the fox cubs are born in numbers of between 4 presence proves easy to identify. breeding season takes place in February/March and -5. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular in their Breeding takes place in mid-February and March after around 84 days, between 4 and 6 mongoose are activities whilst becoming more diurnal in summer or July and August with the offspring born elev- born. As with African antecedents, the mongoose is when the food supply becomes scarcer. At such times, en weeks later and numbering between 1-4 in a resistant to snake venom. This species also stands they frequently turn to fruit. Direct observations are nest built into a trunk or a hole between rocks. out for having horizontal eye pupils, a rare occur- scarce but their presence is clearly noticeable whether The species also contains odorous and fairly rence among mammals. In the National Hunting through their footprints, excrement or even their body prominent glands by its tail and, in situations Grounds of Mafra, they may occasionally be spotted odours. Night and dawn visits are best recommended of threat, releases a very strong and disturbing in the Tojeira zone as this is both an open area and for those wishing to observe this inhabitant. stench. with plenty of rabbits and reptiles. Fallow Deer (Cervus dama) The Fallow Deer, Cervus dama, is the most abundant member of the Cervidae family in the National Hunting Grounds of Mafra (in excess of 300 individuals) and also the most sociable towards humans. As with the majority of the Cervidae, only the males display antlers that in this species tend to flatten lengthwise. The antlers are bone structures that experience discontinuous periods of growth and are shed annually in spring before immediately beginning to grow again before peaking in size late in July. During autumn, the adult males do battle amongst themselves over possession of the females. During this period, they issue snorting sounds entitled a bellow. The bellow serves the purpose of attracting the attention of females and dissuading competing males. The fawn, normally one per female, are born in May/June after around a 7-month gestation period. They display two skins over the course of the year: in winter, in dark and homogenous tones while turning lighter and more mottled during the summer months. This is a herbivorous species that essentially feeds off grass, fruit, tree and bush shoots. During the summer season, supplementary food is provided through specifically installed structures – feeding troughs. Skunk The european polecat Badger (Mustela nivalis) (Mustela putorius) (Meles meles) A smaller member of the Mustelidae family The polecat also belongs to the Mustelidae family The badger is the final representative of the Mustelidae (males: 202-314 mm; females: 173-181 mm). This even whilst larger in size than the skunk (male: family in the grounds. Nocturnal in habits, the bad- species remains active both day and night and 30-46 cm; female: 29-35 cm). This species also dis- gers are also very reticent in behaviour and hence dif- alternating periods of activity with periods of plays nocturnal habits with the males solitary and ficult to spot. However, any close attention to the floor rest. Breeding takes place in mid-April/May and the females caring for the young. They are carniv- very commonly finds their footprints easily identified in July/ August and after around 34-37 days be- orous feeding off rodents, insects, birds and worms given its characteristic five pad and five nail markings. tween 4 and 6 young are born. Parental care is and displaying food storage practices. Breeding It goes into semi-hibernation between November and exclusively the responsibility of the female. This takes place between March and June before 2-12 February and lives in social groups. Breeding takes is a carnivorous species that lives essentially polecats are born some 42 days later. Its domesti- place between February and May, with 1-5 badgers born off rodents as skunks are small enough to chase cated version is known as the ferret and previous- to each reproductive cycle (with an effective gestation them down in their own burrows. They are soli- ly deployed by hunters to scare rabbits out of their period of 7 weeks). This is an omnivorous animal with tary animals. burrows. its diet spanning worms, insects, rodents, moles, rab- bits, fruits and bulbs. Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) A member of the Suidae family, this species dis- with dark longitudinal lines and hence designat- ter rabbits, reptiles, rodents and even feeding off plays essentially crepuscular and nocturnal hab- ed “lined”. As from six months, they gradually lose dead bodies (more commonly in the summer season its and abounds and runs throughout the extent of these lines and turn brownish. As from one year of when other foodstuffs fall into short supply). Pig- the National Hunting Grounds of Mafra. The males age, they get darker with tones of grey and black lets number between 1-10 and born as winter ends are somewhat more corpulent than the females emerging. These omnivorous animals scrabble in and spring begins after approximately four months and also grow more salient teeth (jutting out over the soil to seek out seeds, fruits, roots, tubers and of gestation. The births occur in special shelters the lip – razors and grinders). Depending on their small invertebrates. that the progenitors themselves construct - “birth- ages, wild boar grow various types of skin: born They are also opportunist hunters and may go af- ing shelters”. European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) The Spanish Mole (Talpa occidentalis) The Spanish mole belongs to the Talpidae fami- The European rabbit belongs to the yellow footpath route). This is a herbivorous ly. This particular species remains active both by Leporidae family, which also includes the species feeding off grass, roots and leaves. day and by night even while spending the bulk of hare. They live in colonies and their various They are busiest at night and during the its life living within the network of tunnels dug members leave their excrement only in early hours of dawn. Breeding takes place out with its frontal spade shaped feed. The mole specific sites - latrines. Within each colony, year round with the majority of offspring lives almost exclusively off worms but does also eat insects and slugs. Breeding takes place in the there is a strong social hierarchy and in born between April and June. The period month of April with 3-4 offspring born around 28 which the dominant hold the right to the of gestation extends over 28-33 days with days later. Its presence is easily detected by the best burrows. The latrines are found in each litter containing 3-12 newly borns that small pile of earth left on the surface entrance to abundance within the scope of fenced areas are blind, death and skinless and with 3-7 any of its tunnels.

Load more

  12

Copy Link