Research - Mammals
Mammalian Species Surveys in the Acquisition Areas on Tejon Ranch, California (August 2010)
By Brian L. Cypher, Christine L. Van Horn Job, Erin N. Tennant, and Scott E. Phillips
During autumn 2009 and spring 2010, surveys were conducted for mammal species in 4 areas on Tejon Ranch in central California. These “acquisition areas” are available for possible conservation and include the White Wolf, Old Headquarters, Bi-Centennial, and Tri-Centennial areas. Survey methods included automated digital camera stations, live-trapping, spotlighting, and opportunistic observations. Despite the relatively short-term nature of the surveys, 28 mammal species were documented on the acquisition areas: 12 on White Wolf, 17 on Old Headquarters, 12 on Bi-Centennial, and 13 on Tri-Centennial. Included among those detected were 3 special status species: San Joaquin kit fox, Tehachapi pocket mouse, and badger. Kit foxes were confirmed on the White Wolf area from camera station images, spotlight observations, tracks, and scats. Kit fox scats also were collected on the Old Headquarters area, and an individual and a potential den were observed by other field biologists. Five individual Tehachapi pocket mice were captured during live-trapping: 2 on the Bi-Centennial area and 3 on the Tri-Centennial area. Badger diggings were observed in the White Wolf area, although this species likely is wide-spread on Tejon Ranch. The Ranch clearly supports a diversity of mammal species and because of its size, habitat diversity, and habitat quality, the Tejon Ranch can contribute significantly to the conservation of special status mammal species as well as regional biological diversity. Recommendations include (1) conducting additional surveys for additional special status species, (2) conserving habitat in the White Wolf and Old Headquarters areas for San Joaquin kit foxes, (3) managing and enhancing habitat for kit foxes through vegetation management and artificial den installation, (4) gathering demographic and ecological data on kit foxes on the Ranch to further conservation of this species, (5) conserving habitat in the Bi-Centennial and Tri-Centennial areas for Tehachapi pocket mice, and (6) gathering demographic and ecological data on Tehachapi pocket mice to further conservation of this species.
