G. Linscombe

Fetal counts of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) yielded an average of 2.97 ± 1.06 fetuses per litter (range: 1 to 5). Placental scars averaged 7.97 ± 4.34 per breeding female (range: 1 to 22) and indicated production of 2.7 litters per breeding female per year. Corpora lutea counts disclosed that litter sizes ranged from I to 7, averaged 3.54 ± 1. 15, and differed significantly from fetal counts. Litter size as determined by lodge surveys (i = 2.18 ± 0.25) was less than that determined by fetal counts and represented post-partum mortality. Mortality estimates indicated a loss of 16.1%...

In an attempt to determine a more effective means of utilizing scent station data to evaluate furbearer population trends, 3 scent types, 2 tracking surfaces and 3 habitat types were analyzed in northcentral Louisiana. Observations at 775 stations on 2 successive days during the fall of 1979, summer of 1980 and fall of 1980, resulted in 574 visits by 13 different groups of mammals. Bobcat (Felis rufus) urine produced the highest visitation rates for coyotes (Canis latrans) when compared to fatty acid scent and rhodium (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05...