Predators and Predation
Predation
Predation
What is predation?
What is Predation?
A mode of life which food is obtained by killing and consuming other animals
Purely natural phenomenon Problem when predators become
too abundant Unacceptable for humans to share
livestock for prey
Predation cont. Most species of farm and ranch
livestock have at times been subject to predation
In the U.S. swine and poultry are produced in confinement and are protected
This is not the case for grazing ruminants
Predation cont.
To the producer the most serious predator is the one causing trouble at a specific time and place
In monetary terms the beef cattle industry has suffered the greatest loss due to their greater value and larger numbers
Predation NumbersTable 1.
Losses of All Goats: Number by Predators,
Diseases or Other Known Causes, Unknown Causes, and Total Value, 2004
Losses Total Value
Item Goats Kids All Goat Losses
Head Head 1,000 Dollars
Predator 40,000 115,000 15,965
Diseases and Other Known Causes
60,000 120,000 18,540
Unknown Causes 29,200 51,000 8,261
Total 129,200 286,000 42,766
(Table 1.) Dervived from Nass Publication Sheep AND Goat Death Loss Released May 6, 2005.
Predation losses
When losses are expressed as a function of value by the industry, sheep and goat producers suffer far greater losses.
Traditionally the sheep and goat industries have had much of the burden of maintaining predation management programs.
Predation
Predation is one of the chief reasons cited by producers when they leave sheep and goat production.
Not only by wild predators but domesticated animals as well.
Value of animals killed by predators not the only cost associated with predation.
Predation costs Animals killed Lost performance Improved fencing Night
confinement Early weaning
Predator control Unable to utilize
available resources
Increased labor costs
Stress on producers
Identifying Predation
The most difficult part of controlling predation may be identifying the exact cause of predation.
Predators
Domestic Dogs Coyotes Vultures
(black and turkey) Bobcats
Wild or Feral Swine
Mt. Lions Bears
(grizzly and black) Fire Ants
Domestic Dogs
Feral dogs/pets
Most dog attacks occur at night or early morning
Dogs trapped in studies have been traced back to homes
Dead animals found with no mutilation show that dogs kill for fun
Feral dogs/pets 1983 Journal of Range Management July
vol.36(4) published a paper based on surveys of sheep producers in Ohio and found that no geographic part of the state was immune to dog predation and time of year did not effect losses.
Most dogs trapped in the for mentioned study were well fed and groomed
Dogs cont.
Many dogs killing livestock are usually free roaming, loving family pets
Many dog owners are unaware of what their pets are into after dark or when the pets are out of sight
Dogs cont.
Pet dogs usually kill for fun but wild dogs kill for a source of food
Goats killed by dogs that have been fed upon resemble coyote predation
Many goats killed by dogs die from shock or stress and even the smallest dog can kill goats
Dog Control
Stronger leash laws Shooting Leg hold traps Large cage traps Snares
Differences between dog and coyote predation
Coyotes tend to kill quickly Coyotes typically kill one or two
animals close to cover Coyotes eat on abdominal cavity
first Coyotes are probably responsible if
small animals are missing
Predation differences cont.
Dogs will kill any time of day Dog attacks last longer Dogs attack for chase/ making
whole group of animals nervous Dogs will attack many animals and
many animals will show wounds
Coyotes
Coyote Identification
Males weigh up to 45lbs Females weigh about 40lbs Colors from almost black to nearly
white Have been known to hybridize with
dogs and wolves
Coyotes cont.
Coyote biology
Coyotes very easily adapt to all environments and thrive throughout most of the United States
Coyotes adapt to and thrive even in urban areas
Coyote Biology
Most active at night or early morning Keen since of smell Very good eye sight/hearing Fast up to speeds of 40 miles per
hour Litters of up to 13 young Very social animals
Coyote diets Carrion Ungulates (fawns) Insects Rodents Rabbits
(preference)
Fruits/vegetables Small dogs House cats Livestock Humane refuse etc
Coyote predation
Usually worse in spring and summer Due to food demands of raising young Not as many usual prey species
available Producers may see an increase in the
fall due the dispersion of yearling coyotes
Coyote predation cont.
Attack adult goats in throat Death usually results from
suffocation or shock Young goats killed by biting head,
back or spine Usually small livestock are never
found, sometimes only a bloody spot remains
Coyote predation cont.
Larger livestock generally attacked in flanks while giving birth
A real problem exists just knowing a coyote killed the animal in question
Predation photos can be viewed at:http://texnat.tamu.edu/ranchref/predator/coyote/p-coyote.htm
Coyote control
Shooting Trapping/snaring Fencing Night penning
Coyote control assistance
USDA Wildlife Services
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency
State trapping associations for a list of local trappers
Coyote paths under fences
Coyote summary
Coyotes are creatures of habit Once animals become an easy food
source coyotes will return Coyotes also carry and spread a
whole host of parasites and diseases Good fencing and dead animal
disposal will help deter coyote predation
Vultures
Vultures (buzzards)
Two types in Tennessee
Turkey and Black
Vulture ID
Black vultures have grey heads, black bodies and the underside of their wings are gray in color with white patches on their wing tips
Turkey vultures resemble wild turkeys hence the name (turkey) vultures
Vultures cont.
Both types of vultures specialize in locating and feeding on carrion, but Black vultures at times are predatory
Black vultures are the main concern for livestock producers
Black vultures
Black vultures have a very broad diet, but unlike most other vultures it will subdue, capture and eat live prey
Prey include, birds, skunks, opossums, turtle hatchlings, fish and all types of newborn livestock
Black vulture predation. Black vultures do not locate food by
smell but by sight and commonly follow Turkey vultures to food sources
Vultures are communal animals and roost together in large numbers and seem to hunt together in large numbers
Black vultures usually attack live prey in large numbers
Vulture predation cont.
Vultures commonly attack weak newborn animals
Prey animals are usually attacked in the eyes, nose or navel first
Vulture predation is hard to determine because producers do not know if the animal was dead before preyed upon
Keys to stop Vulture predation
Dispose of dead animals or after birth
Kid in covered sheds close to human activity
Scare off or harass problem animals
Disrupt Vulture roosts
Vulture predation cont. Remember vultures are federally
protected Permits for control have to be obtained
from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-866-487-3297
Vulture predation photos can be viewed at http://texnat.tamu.edu/ranchref/predator/birds/p-birds.htm
Feral Swine
Swine ID
Feral swine in Tennessee is defined as any wild hog except those found on Catoosa, South Cherokee and Foothills Wildlife Management areas
May be any color/depends on degree of hybridization
All fit under the generic term wild pig
Swine predation Hogs will prey on livestock usually
during periods of drought when mast and other food is scarce
Usually occurs in birthing areas due to prevalence of afterbirth
Whole animal is usually consumed and the only evidence may be a bloody spot where feeding occurred
Rooting at the scene may be the only evidence of hog predation
Swine control
Fencing Shooting/Night hunting (permit
required) Hunting/chasing with dogs Cage traps Snares
Black Bear
Bear predation Few bears learn to kill livestock Once they develop the behavior they
will persist Usually leave very large claw and tooth
marks Multiple kills will usually occur on sheep
and goats Killed animals will usually be covered
with debris and eaten later as bears usually return at dusk
Bear control
Good fencing/electric Destroy carrion Large tunnel traps Pyrotechnic devices may help with
control Predation Permits can be obtained
from TWRA
Fire Ants
Fire Ant biology
Colonies live in mounds Mounds found in the open Winged reproductive males and
females make mating flights Land and start new colonies May be 100,000 or more worker
ants per colony
Fire Ant biology cont.
Both single and multi-queen colonies TN mostly single queen colonies Can build 40-80 colonies per/acre Spread naturally by mating flights Many are moved by man As of 2005, 41 TN counties under
quarantine
Fire Ants cont.
When mound disturbed workers rush out to sting
Most humans react with pustule/some require immediate medical attention
Fire Ants problems ! Reduce hay yields Break farm
equipment Cut germinating
seedlings Multi sting
capability Deter hand labor
Damage irrigation equipment
Cause electrical shorts
Kill confined animals/newborns
Kill wild animals Etc.
Fire ant mounds are often the first sign of their presence.
Fire Ant Densities
Fire Ants cont.
Damage in US estimated at $6 billion even though they infest only 320 million acres in all or parts of 13 states and 1 territory
Fire Ant Damage
Assessment needed to determine when and where to treat
Farmers may not include every loss caused by fire ants
Dead goats or infested bales are losses but what about all the other losses
Fire Ant treatment options
Eradication (not an option) Cost about $15/acre to treat May be feasible to treat if damage
is more than $15/acre Treat confinement areas or kidding
areas
Fire Ants non-chemical control
Schedule kidding during cool weather
Move hay bales quickly before ants infest bales
Store bale off the ground
Fire Ants chemical control
Baits labeled for pastures (AmdroPro, Extinguish and Esteem
Carbaryl (Sevin) for individual mound treatments
These two different methods are called the Texas Two-Step method
Keys to predation control
Evaluate problem Good fencing!!!! Record keeping Night confinement Good sanitation (dead animal
disposal)
Helpful Phone Numbers United States Department of
Agriculture/Wildlife Services USDA/WS 1-866-487-3297
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA)
East TN 1-423-587-7037 Plateau 1-931-484-9571 Middle TN 1-615-781-6622 West TN 1-731-423-5725
Helpful numbers cont.
Trapping Associations West TN Furtakers 1-901-476-5953 TN Fur Harvesters 1-615-883-3696 TN Freetrappers 1-615-672-8546
Questions??
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