Patterns of spatial overlap in a large rodent, the crested porcupine.

tThe crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is a large rodent which pairs for life. We studied the space use of17 female and 9 male radio-tracked porcupines in an evergreen coastal woodland (“macchia”, EW) andin an agricultural estate (AE), with special reference to the use of cultivations. Home range sizes of maleporcupines (4.72–323.40) ranged around 114 ha (median) during the warm period (April–September)and 162 ha during the cold one (October–March). Home ranges of females (2.48–323.40) were c. 91 haduring the warm period and c. 143 ha during the cold one. Habitat composition and selection changedfrom the cold to the warm months, with porcupines being present in agricultural areas especially in thelatter. Home range overlap between members of the same pair varied from 57% to 97% (median, 75%).Habitat selection was analyzed at the second (within study area) and at the third (within home range)order of selection. Within study areas, porcupines avoided cultivations and selected habitats with densevegetation, providing cover and food. Within home ranges, in the warm period, porcupines selectedagricultural areas in EW, where this habitat represented a minor portion of the study site. In that season,the Mediterranean “macchia” is a poor source of food, forcing porcupines to travel long distances to reachfeeding sites. No significant difference of habitat selection within home ranges was detected betweenmembers of the same pair. Cultivations may play a key-role for porcupine survival, especially in poorhabitats, as they provide abundant food resources in the warm period.