Habitat Use and Survival of Ringtail in Southwest Oregon
Using Radio Telemetry and Global Positioning System Collars
Project Description
Oregon Conservation Strategy
The ringtail is a small, secretive, omnivorous, nocturnal relative of the raccoon that occurs in Southwestern Oregon, the most northern portion of the species range. Ringtail are listed as “Sensitive” and a Conservation Strategy species in Oregon with identified knowledge gaps including the need for an assessment of the species distribution and abundance, and basic information on habitat use.
Secretive Omnivore by Lindsay Somers
Lindsay Somers is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University. Linsday uses radio telemetry and global positioning system collars to research ringtail in Southwestern Oregon. Ringtail are an Oregon Conservation Strategy species and listed as “sensitive” in Oregon, which represents the most northern portion of their range.
Although ringtail have been studied in arid environments and within forests of northern California, very little is known about ringtail ecology in Oregon. Information is needed on ringtail distribution, abundance, population dynamics, and habitat use. Specifically, researchers will estimate ringtail survival rates and describe characteristics of daytime rest sites and use Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to estimate home range size and movement patterns of ringtail. Ringtail are listed as “Sensitive” and a Conservation Strategy species in Oregon with identified knowledge gaps including the need for an assessment of the species distribution and abundance, and basic information on habitat use and selection across all life stages. These data will aid in the development of a large-scale monitoring program for ringtail in Oregon and add to our basic understanding of ringtail ecology at the most northern edge of their distribution.
Graduate Student Spotlight -- Lindsay Somers, Post Doc, Oregon State University
What do you want to do when you graduate?
I am currently working for a state agency to protect and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife, and I enjoy working on projects that lead to direct conservation benefits for fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
What is your research focus?
I am interested in factors influencing population persistence and how animals use their habitats at both broad and fine scales. My CRU research project focused on population demographics and habitat use of ringtail which are a species of greatest conservation need within Oregon.
What are your personal hobbies?
My personal hobbies including hiking with my dogs, gardening, fishing, traditional bowhunting, and wildlife photography.
