Spatio-temporal variation of predator diet in a rural habitat: stone martens in the villages of Białowieża forest

Stone martens (Martes foina) exhibit significant dietary plasticity, adapting their feeding habits to seasonal, annual, and spatial variations in food availability within the villages of Białowieża Forest. The study found that fruits and birds were the primary food sources, accounting for 41.5% and 32.9% of consumed biomass respectively. However, dietary composition varied notably across seasons, with birds dominating in spring while fruits were more prevalent from summer to winter. Small mammals played a crucial role in smaller villages, particularly those near forest edges, where bank voles (Myodes glareolus) were the dominant prey. Conversely, larger villages saw higher consumption of rats (Rattus sp.) and poultry during winter. This adaptability suggests that stone martens specialize in fruits but supplement their diet with other resources when availability is low.

Czernik, M., Kowalczyk, R., & Zalewski, A. (2016). Spatio-temporal variation of predator diet in a rural habitat: stone martens in the villages of Białowieża forest. Mammal Research, 61(3), 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-016-0273-1