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Valdmann, H.; Andersone-Lilley, Z.; Koppa, O.; Ozolins, J.; Bagrade, G.
Winter diets of wolf _Canis lupus_ and lynx _Lynx lynx_ in Estonia and Latvia
2005 Acta Theriologica (50): 521-527
Winter diets of wolf _Canis lupus_ Linnaeus, 1758 and lynx _Lynx lynx_ Linnaeus, 1758, in Latvia and Estonia were investigated in 1997-2000 based on stomach contents of hunted animals and scats. Ungulates appeared to be the staple food for both predators. Lynx diet to a high extent consisted of cervids (Estonia 52% frequency of prey, Latvia 88%), roe deer dominating. Mountain hare _Lepus timidus_ made up from 9% (Latvia) to 31% (Estonia) of the lynx diet, and _red fox_ Vulpes vulpes 7% in Estonian sample. Wolf diet was more diverse; besides cervids (44% in Latvia, 63% in Estonia) it included wild boar _Sus scrofa _(32% in Latvia, 17% in Estonia), carrion, small rodents, and other food items. Proportion of empty stomachs was high both in wolves (37%) and lynxes (35%) in Latvia. Range of stomach content weights varied from zero to more than 4 kg in wolves and almost 1.5 kg in lynx. Pianka's indices of food niche overlapped significantly between species and countries (0.85-0.99).
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