Using eggs containing an irritating odor to teach mammalian predators to stop depredating eggs
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Published source details
Hoover S.E. & Conover M.R. (2000) Using eggs containing an irritating odor to teach mammalian predators to stop depredating eggs. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 28, 84-89.
Published source details Hoover S.E. & Conover M.R. (2000) Using eggs containing an irritating odor to teach mammalian predators to stop depredating eggs. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 28, 84-89.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use aversive conditioning to reduce nest predation by mammalian predators Action Link |
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Use aversive conditioning to reduce nest predation by mammalian predators
A replicated, controlled experiment with 12 captive coyotes Canis latrans (Hoover & Conover 2000) found that they preferentially consumed eight untreated eggs from untreated nests, compared to four untreated eggs from nests sprayed with pulegone (mint extract) or four eggs sprayed with pulegone, over a three day period. A second trial with 29 coyotes found that, during a five-day conditioning period when coyotes were presented with eggs injected with 1 ml pulegone, they opened and consumed fewer eggs each day (from 100% to <40% opened, <8% consumed). However, after the conditioning period, coyotes continued to eat 100% of untreated eggs when presented with them, either singly or alongside pulegone injected and sprayed eggs.
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