Abstract
Rare mesocamivores-such as Kit Foxes (Vulpes macrotis), Ringtails (Bassariscus astutus), and Western Spotted Skunks (Spilogale gracilis) -are occasionally sighted in southern Idaho. Little is known about their basic ecology even in areas where these species are more common owing to their low densities and cryptic nature. We know very little about their distribution or habitat use in southern Idaho. In the first year of our study, we attempted to detect not only these small carnivores, but also more common ones, such as American Badgers (Taxidea taxus), Bobcats (Lynx rufus), and Coyotes (Canis latrans). In summer 2021, we deployed 98 cameras in southern Idaho and detected several species of mesocarnivores including Spotted Skunks but no Kit Foxes. In the winter of 2022-2023, we changed our sampling design to take advantage of recent sightings of Ringtails in southern Idaho. We deployed and maintained 50 camera traps in canyon habitats in southern Idaho near recent Ringtail sighting locations using a buffet of lures (i.e., trapping lure, fruit, and orange drink mix). We detected Ringtails at 7 cameras as well as Spotted Skunks and numerous other mesocarnivore species. It appears that Ringtails are expanding their distribution into Idaho. Subsequent logical steps would be to estimate the distribution of Ringtails and Spotted Skunks and determine what habitats they occupy.