Habitat utilization by wintering Japanese monkeys (macaca fuscata fuscata) in the Shiga heights

The detailed habitat utilization of the Shiga B₂ troop was studied in winter. The following results were obtained. (1) The roosting site distribution was limited to the Yokoyugawa valley. (2) The measured home range size was 1.99 km², which was greater than the 1.23 km² of larger population size of the Shiga C troop. (3) The daily travel distance ranged from 0 to 1,825 m (mean 646 m). (4) The pendulum cycle of troop movement is composed of two types: wandering and tripping. The daily travel distance in tripping was much longer than that in wandering. (5) The utilization rate of the home range was assessed according to the total length of the travelling course per grid square. Highly utilized areas in the home range were found along the Yokoyugawa valley without using areas far from the valley. (6) Diurnal activity was influenced by climate, although it was difficult to establish any clear daily rhythm. (7) The food items amounted to 39 species. (8) Distribution of densely utilized sites of food resources almost coincided with those of resting sites. (9) The reasons for the use of the complete home range by the B₂ were also discussed.