Can seasonal home‐range size in pike Esox lucius predict excursion distance?

The hypothesis that vagility, or tendency to move, in pike Esox lucius can be predicted from individual home range was tested using telemetry. Independently of fish size, mean annual excursion distance was positively correlated to winter (0·02–0·95 ha) and spring (0·02–0·59 ha) home ranges but not summer and autumn home ranges.     

Home range patterns of male fallow deer<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dama dama</Emphasis> in a sub-Mediterranean habitat

From 1996 to 2000 the home ranges of 14 male fallow deerDama dama (Linnaeus, 1758) were studied in the San Rossore Preserve (Italy) using radio-telemetry. Mean size of annual home ranges was 588.9 ± 278.9 ha, calculated by MCP, and 337.5 ± 178.9 ha, using Kernel method, and was larger than that reported in published literature to date. The size of the seasonal home range estimated with the MCP method was 90.6 ± 129.1 ha during spring, 73.7 ± 67.9 ha in summer, 465.0 ± 230.6 ha in fall, and 65.6 ± 60.6 ha in winter. The Kernel method gave 84.7 ± 140.2 ha in spring, 61.3 ± 64.6 ha in summer, 306.0 ± 170.5 ha in fall, and 46.5 ± 44.0 ha during winter. The seasonal analysis suggested that bucks tended to occupy the same particular area from winter to summer, which was related to rich trophic resources, even despite of anthropic disturbance. During autumn, males reached the rutting site (a lek) that was 4 km distant from the areas occupied during the other three seasons. The lekking behaviour was the main factor influencing home range size.     

Patterns of space and habitat use by northern bobwhites in South Florida,USA

The manner by which animals use space and select resources can have important management consequences. We studied patterns of habitat selection by northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) on Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, Charlotte County, Florida and evaluated factors influencing the sizes of their home ranges. A total of 1,245 radio-tagged bobwhites were monitored for 19,467 radio days during 2002–2007. The mean ( ± 1 SE) annual home range size, estimated using the Kernel density method, was 88.43 ( ± 6.16) ha and did not differ between genders. Winter home ranges of bobwhites (69.27 ± 4.92 ha) were generally larger than summer home ranges (53.90 ± 4.93 ha). Annual and winter home ranges were smaller for bobwhites whose ranges contained food plots compared to those that did not; however, the presence of food plots did not influence summer home ranges. We used distance-based methods to investigate habitat selection by bobwhites at two scales: selection of home ranges within the study site (second-order selection) and selection of habitats within home ranges (third-order selection). Across both scales, bobwhites generally preferred food plots and dry prairie habitat and avoided wet prairies and roads. This pattern was generally consistent between genders and across years. Our data indicate that management practices aimed at increasing and maintaining a matrix of food plots and dry prairie habitat would provide the most favorable environment for bobwhites.     

Food habits and habitat selection of suburban badgers (Meles meles) in Japan

A study of the Japanese badger Meles meles anakuma was undertaken in Hinode, a suburb of Tokyo, between 1992 and 1998. Faecal analysis, based on 82 samples, revealed that during spring and summer, earthworms ( Megaseolocidae spp.) occurred at high frequency in the diet, with berries ( Rubus spp.), beetles and persimmon Dymopyrus kaki also eaten during summer months. Scavenged food was eaten in early spring when earthworm availability was low, and badgers switched from worms when persimmon became abundant in autumn. Twenty-one Japanese badgers (14 males and seven females) were radio-tracked. Adult badger home ranges were stable, and those of males [40±19 ( sd ) ha, n =7] were larger than those of females [11±6 ( sd ) ha, n =4]. Badger resting sites in each home range were located within 630 m of each other and categorized as setts or couches. Setts were sited within core areas (30% adaptive kernel method) of home ranges. Most setts were on a sub-ridge and avoided west-facing slopes. Couches, mainly in deciduous forest and forest edge, were generally sited towards the periphery of home ranges. Most badger foods were distributed along ecotones between forestry plantations and farmland; earthworms, their main food from late spring to summer, and berry thickets were both concentrated at the edge of conifer plantations. Persimmon trees, the main food source for badgers in autumn, were also found in agricultural land bordering forest edge. Badger home range size was related to forest edge density.     

Home range and activity patterns of male red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) in the alps

Summary From 1978 to 1981 in the Bavarian Alps (Southern West Germany) the home range and activity patterns of nine male red deer have been studied using radio-telemetry. The home range patterns definetely change with age. Younger stags first follow the patterns of their mothers, then often emigrate from these home ranges and establish new ones elsewhere. Except for the change in range at about 2^1/2 years of age, these patterns seem to be very constant in both spatial as well as seasonal position and the size of the home ranges. Winter and rutting ranges are relatively small, averaging 113 ha and 134 ha, respectively, whereas the mean size of the home ranges used from spring to autumn amounts to some 386 ha. Just as do the home range patterns, so also do activity patterns exhibit a marked annual cycle. The daily sum total of activity varies from about 9 h in winter to some 15 h in summer. The daily distribution of activity reveals a typical bimodal 24-h rhythm which in the course of the year also shows modifications according to the seasonally varying LD-ratio. In the discussion, earlier results on female red deer are compared to those of this study. Notable differences between sexes occur in the home range patterns and the annual cycle of daily activity.     

Home range dynamics of the yellow‐footed rock‐wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus celeris) in central‐western Queensland

Analyses of the interspecific differences in macropod home range size suggest that habitat productivity exerts a greater influence on range size than does body mass. This relationship is also apparent within the rock‐wallaby genus. Lim reported that yellow‐footed rock‐wallabies (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus) inhabiting the semi‐arid Flinders Ranges (South Australia) had a mean home range of 170 ha. While consistent with the hypothesis that species inhabiting less productive habitats will require larger ranges to fulfil their energetic requirements, the ranges reported by Lim were considerably larger than those observed for heavier sympatric macropods. The aim of the current study was to document the home range dynamics of P. x. celeris in central‐western Queensland and undertake a comparison with those reported for their southern counterparts. Wallaby movements were monitored at Idalia National Park, between winter 1992 and winter 1994. Male foraging ranges (95% fixed kernel; 15.4 ha, SD = ±7.8 ha) were found to be significantly larger than those of female wallabies (11.3 ha, SD = ±4.9 ha). Because of varying distances to the wallabies' favoured foraging ground (i.e. an adjacent herb field), the direction in which the wallabies moved to forage also significantly affected range size. Mean home range size was estimated to be 23.5 ha (SD = ±15.2 ha; 95% fixed kernel) and 67.5 ha (SD = ±22.4 ha; 100% minimum convex polygon). The discrepancy between these two estimates resulted from the exclusion of locations, from the 95% kernel estimates, when the wallabies moved to a water source 1.5 km distant from the colony site. The observed foraging and home ranges approximated those that could be expected for a macropod inhabiting the semi‐arid zone (i.e. 2.4 times larger‐than‐predicted from body mass alone). Possible reasons for the disparity between the current study and that of Lim are examined.     

Space use and resting site selection of red foxes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) living near villages and small towns in Southern Germany

In 2005–2008, we radio-tracked 17 foxes in rural areas of Southern Germany. The mean home range size was 76.6 ha (95% MCP) or 138.9 ha (95% fixed kernel), and the built-up area formed an integral part of the home range. Home ranges of juvenile foxes were significantly smaller than home ranges of adult foxes. Gender-specific differences among adult foxes were not established. A minimum population density of 2.7 foxes per km² and summer densities of up to 13.4 foxes per km² were calculated. Therefore, the fox density was three to eight times higher than that of strictly rural foxes. Daytime resting sites of foxes were mostly found in forests (62.2%) and reedbed areas (20.6%). Of the resting sites, 14.8% were situated inside settlements, in fallow gardens or gardens of residents. During the day, foxes exhibited habitat preferences for forests and reedbed areas. A habitat structure that offers plenty of cover or dense vegetation is essential for its selection as a safe resting site. If this basic requirement is fulfilled, foxes also choose resting sites within settlements, and are not disturbed by human presence.     

Home Range Size and Use in Allocebus trichotis in Analamazaotra Special Reserve, Central Eastern Madagascar

No information is currently available on the space needs of hairy-eared dwarf lemurs (Allocebus trichotis), classified as Data Deficient. The data are crucial for their conservation and comparison with other nocturnal primates. I conducted the first radiotracking study of the species from January to December 2007 in the Analamazaotra Special Reserve of Central Eastern Madagascar. I used nocturnal focal individual follows and daytime nest locations to determine home ranges. I followed 1 full sleeping group (4 adults) for 8 mo and 1 partial sleeping group (2 females) for 3 mo. Group home ranges, calculated via 100% minimum convex polygons (MCP), were 35.5 ha and 16.0 ha, respectively. The 95% kernel method of analysis yielded group home ranges of 15.2 ha and 7.1 ha respectively. The mean home range size for individuals was 15.4 ha (MCP) and 5.4 ha (kernel). This is much larger than for other Cheirogaleidae and could be due to a more insectivorous diet or the use of patchily distributed gum-producing trees. There were small nonsignificant monthly variations in home range size. The mean home range size per individual per month was 5.2 ha (MCP) and 2.2 ha (kernel). Important individual differences in overall and monthly home range size could be due to variations in the individual reproductive cycles and survival strategies. Overlap analyses and the lack of sexual difference in home range size suggest the social unit is a family or multimale/multifemale sleeping group with monogamous or promiscuous mating. The Analamazaotra Special Reserve probably holds ca. 100 adult individuals. Additional research is urgently needed to clarify the habitat needs of this rare species.     

Annual and seasonal space use of different age classes of female wild boar Sus scrofa L.

In a radiotelemetric study, we analysed space use of 24 female specimens (14 family groups and 14 nonreproductive yearling females) out of 23 wild boar groups for periods between 3 and 39 months. Generally, wild boar used relatively small areas, showed high site fidelity but also a strong individual variation of home ranges, indicating a high flexibility in space use. Although age-specific differences were not statistically significant, female yearlings tended to have larger mean annual home ranges (1,185 ha MCP) than animals ranging in family groups (771 ha). Yearlings also showed a stronger shifting from spring to summer home ranges (2,345 m) and a tendency towards larger home range sizes in summer (791 ha MCP), compared to family groups (shift 1,766 m, MCP 461 ha). Yearlings displayed a dislocation of about 1 km of the annual centre in the first year after dividing from the mother. In contrast, in adults older than 2 years, the dislocation of the annual center was only 240 m.     

Habitat Selection and Home Range Dynamics of Eastern Spotted Skunks in the Ouachita Mountains,Arkansas, USA

ABSTRACT Since the 1940s, eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius) have declined dramatically throughout the Midwest. One hypothesis for the decline is the loss of suitable habitat, although little is known about the ecological requirements of this species. To elucidate seasonal home range and habitat selection by eastern spotted skunks, we conducted telemetry-based field work in the Ouachita Mountains of western Arkansas, USA. During 2 years of field work, we collected day- and nighttime radiolocations for 33 eastern spotted skunks. We used kernel-based utilization distributions, volume of intersection indices, and weighted compositional analysis to evaluate seasonal home range dynamics and habitat selection. Although we found moderate adult male site fidelity, there were large seasonal differences in home range size, with ranges of between 76 ha and 175 ha (± 22–62 SE) during summer, fall, and winter, and home ranges of 866 ha (± 235 SE) during spring. Male home range increases in the spring were likely caused by questing behavior in search of reproductive females. Females maintained home ranges of 54 ha to 135 ha (± 7–30 SE) and moderate site fidelity during all seasons. During each season, we observed selection of young shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and hardwood stands over other available cover types, likely due to a preference for a dense, complex understory and a closed canopy overstory to reduce predation risk. Most habitats in the study region were managed for an herbaceous understory and an older, more open canopy, in part to benefit red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) populations. Thus, if simultaneous management for these 2 vertebrates is a goal, a balance of early and late successional habitat should be reached.     

Home range size, habitat utilisation and movement patterns of suburban and farm cats Felis catus

The movements of 10 house cats (4 desexed females, 5 desexed males and 1 intact male) living on the edge of a suburb adjoining grassland and forest/woodland habitat, and a neighbouring colony of seven farm cats, were examined using radio-telemetry over nine months Nocturnal home range areas of the suburban cats varied between 0 02 and 27 93 ha (mean 7 89 ha), and were larger than diurnal home range areas (range 0 02 to 17 19 ha – mean 2 73 ha) Nocturnal home range areas of cats from the farm cat colony varied between 1 38 and 4 46 ha (mean 2 54 ha), and were also larger than diurnal home range areas (range 0 77 to 3 70 ha – mean 1 70 ha) Home ranges of cats in the farm cat colony overlapped extensively, as did those of cats living at the same suburban residence There was no overlap of home ranges of female cats from different residences, and little overlap between males and females from different residences Four of the suburban house cats moved between 390 m and 900 m into habitat adjoining the suburb Polygons describing the home ranges of these animals were strongly spatially biased away from the suburban environment, though the cats spent the majority of their time within the bounds of the suburb Movements further than 100–200 m beyond the suburb edge were always made at night There is evidence that home range sizes and spatial movement patterns of house cats are largely determined by a) the density and spatial distribution of cats utilising separate food resources, b) the personality and social dominance of individual cats, c) the location of favoured hunting and resting/sunning sites, and, d) barriers such as busy roads     

Home-range size and use and territorial behavior in the common marmoset,Callithrix jacchus jacchus,at the tapacura field station,recife, Brazil

Data were obtained both from observation and by radiolocation on the size and use of the home range of the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus jacchus.Ranges were small compared to those of other callitrichids, varying between 0.72 to 1.62 ha, and a high proportion of the home range was used each day. The marmosets showed territorial behavior, defending an area almost equivalent to the home range. Despite this, mating between animals belonging to neighboring groups was seen. Correlations between the use of the home range and some environmental variables showed little consistency between two groups which occupied ranges of differing resource density, and their activity patterns, as measured by movement through their ranges, were also different. Possible reasons for these inconsistencies are discussed.     

Fall movements of Red‐headed Woodpeckers in South Carolina

Fall migration of Red‐headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) can be erratic, with departure rates, directions, and distances varying among populations and individuals. We report fall migration departure dates, rates, and routes, and the size of fall home ranges of 62 radio‐tagged Red‐headed Woodpeckers in western South Carolina. Rates of fall migration differed among years; all radio‐tagged woodpeckers migrated in 2005 (15 of 15), none (0 of 23) migrated in 2006, and 54.2% (13 of 24) migrated in 2007. Of 28 woodpeckers that left their breeding territories, we relocated eight either en route or on their fall home ranges. These woodpeckers migrated short distances (4.3–22.2 km) south along the floodplain forest of a large creek. The variable migration patterns we observed indicate that Red‐headed Woodpeckers may best be described as facultative migrants. We determined the home range sizes of 13 woodpeckers in both seasons, regardless of whether they migrated, and fall home ranges were smaller (mean = 1.12 ha) than summer home ranges (mean = 3.23 ha). Fall‐winter movements of Red‐headed Woodpeckers were concentrated on mast‐producing oak (Quercus spp.) trees, which may have restricted home range sizes. The partial migration we observed in 2007 suggests that factors other than mast crop variability may also influence migration patterns because woodpeckers that year responded to the same annual mast crop in different ways, with some migrating and some remaining on breeding season home ranges during the fall.     

Free-Ranging Farm Cats: Home Range Size and Predation on a Livestock Unit In Northwest Georgia

This study’s objective was to determine seasonal and diurnal vs. nocturnal home range size, as well as predation for free-ranging farm cats at a livestock unit in Northwest Georgia. Seven adult cats were tracked with attached GPS units for up to two weeks for one spring and two summer seasons from May 2010 through August 2011. Three and five cats were tracked for up to two weeks during the fall and winter seasons, respectively. Feline scat was collected during this entire period. Cats were fed a commercial cat food daily. There was no seasonal effect (P > 0.05) on overall (95% KDE and 90% KDE) or core home range size (50% KDE). Male cats tended (P = 0.08) to have larger diurnal and nocturnal core home ranges (1.09 ha) compared to female cats (0.64 ha). Reproductively intact cats (n = 2) had larger (P < 0.0001) diurnal and nocturnal home ranges as compared to altered cats. Feline scat processing separated scat into prey parts, and of the 210 feline scats collected during the study, 75.24% contained hair. Of these 158 scat samples, 86 contained non-cat hair and 72 contained only cat hair. Other prey components included fragments of bone in 21.43% of scat and teeth in 12.86% of scat. Teeth were used to identify mammalian prey hunted by these cats, of which the Hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) was the primary rodent. Other targeted mammals were Peromyscus sp., Sylvilagus sp. and Microtus sp. Invertebrates and birds were less important as prey, but all mammalian prey identified in this study consisted of native animals. While the free-ranging farm cats in this study did not adjust their home range seasonally, sex and reproductive status did increase diurnal and nocturnal home range size. Ultimately, larger home ranges of free-ranging cats could negatively impact native wildlife.     

Resilience of arboreal folivores to habitat damage by a severe tropical cyclone

Abstract Severe tropical cyclones greatly modify habitat of arboreal folivores by destroying forest canopy, reducing structure and complexity and defoliating remaining trees. We hypothesized that forest modification following severe Cyclone Larry would stress arboreal folivores of the Family Pseudocheiridae and be reflected in increased home ranges and a decrease in body condition. We conducted 19 pre‐cyclone and 24 post‐cyclone spotlighting surveys at a site with severe cyclone damage, and 18 post‐cyclone surveys at a site with minor damage. We detected a greater number of lemuroid, Hemibelideus lemuroides and green, Pseudochirops archeri, ringtail possums as these possums remained in the severely damaged canopy and forest edge. In contrast, Herbert River ringtail possums, Pseudochirulus herbertensis, were detected in smaller numbers. We radio‐tracked eight P. herbertensis before the cyclone, following two of these and nine new animals after the category 4 cyclone. No significant post‐cyclone alteration in home range area or span was recorded in data pooled across the two sites or in limited post‐cyclone data at the severely disturbed site, but a greater variability in home range was observed after cyclone (pooled across sites: 1.72 ± 0.77 ha; 197 ± 47 m) than before the cyclone (1.35 ± 0.30 ha; 196 ± 23 m). In contrast, pooled pre‐ and post‐cyclone home range areas and spans were larger at the severely‐disturbed site (2.08 ± 0.56 ha; 231 ± 32 m) than at the site with minor damage (0.68 ± 0.11 ha; 114 ± 25 m), suggesting resources were more widely spread at the former site. Post‐cyclone home ranges were also larger at the severely damaged site (severe: 3.33 ± 1.36 ha, n = 3; minor: 0.52 ± 0.07 ha, n = 4). Condition of P. herbertensis (mass/tail length) did not differ significantly pre‐ and post‐cyclone or between less and severely disturbed sites. These results and observations of breeding after cyclone suggest that possum populations may be resilient to severe cyclone damage under the relatively wet conditions experienced post‐Cyclone Larry.     

Spatial organization and spatial distribution of activities within home ranges in a Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) captive population

We studied over 1 year the spatial organization and the spatial distribution of activities in a captive springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) population living in an 18‐ha enclosure located in southern France. Throughout the study period, the two adult males occupied fairly exclusive home ranges, in the overlapping part of which the three subadult males were restricted. The spatial and temporal distribution of aggressive, marking, and avoidance behavior of males showed that the two adults were territorial, except during summer. They accounted for 71% of all marking behaviors recorded, for 77% of the aggressive behavior, and for 91% of the sexual interactions, whereas subadult males accounted for 94% of the avoidance behavior observed. The adult females used the whole enclosure, moving through the males' home ranges. They fed everywhere, but they all had the same preferred resting area, located in the center of the territory of one of the two adult males. They gave birth, accounted for maternal behavior and were engaged in sexual interactions in sectors differing from one individual to the other, but mainly outside the sector where all males' home ranges overlapped. Our results are compared to those reported in natural conditions and lead us to discuss both the functional interpretations of marking behavior, and the signification of a home range for an ungulate. Zoo Biol 27:19–35, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Space use of common genets<Emphasis Type="Italic">Genetta genetta</Emphasis> in a Mediterranean habitat of northeastern Spain: differences between sexes and seasons

The seasonal home range size and spatial relationships of 16 adult genetsGenetta genetta Linnaeus, 1758 (6 males and 10 females) were estimated in a Mediterranean habitat of northeastern Spain. Genets minimum density was estimated as 0.98/km². Mean annual home range was 113.1 ha in males and of 72.0 ha in females. Males had larger home ranges than females in all seasons, but differences were only significant in winter. Home range size changed seasonally and showed a similar pattern in both sexes, with lower values in summer (males — 41.2 ha, females — 29.0 ha) and maximum ones in spring (males — 78.8 ha, females — 56.1 ha). Animals displayed spatial fidelity throughout the year. Core areas (MCP50) represented 27% and 19% of total home range size for males and females, respectively. Resting home ranges (based on locations of inactive animals) were 9 times lower than overall home range size. Individuals of the same sex overlapped less than individuals of different sexes, especially with regard to core areas, which showed almost no overlap. The results obtained suggest that (1) different factors are likely to affect the space use of genets, such as body mass, food abundance and reproductive cycle; (2) genets use space in a heterogeneous way, with areas of greater activity than others within their home range; (3) there was intrasexual segregation with regard to space use.     

An experimental study of the habitat preferences and movement patterns of copper,quillback, and brown rockfishes (Sebastes spp.)

Synopsis A study was designed to test whether habitat association affects the movement patterns and habitat preferences of copper, quillback, and brown rockfishes. Resighting of tagged rockfishes (512 tagged rockfishes and 726 resightings) from July 1986 through June 1988 indicated that home ranges, movements from reefs, and tendency to return from experimental displacement (up to 8.0 km) were significantly different on the three habitat types compared. On high relief rocky reefs, rockfishes maintained small home ranges (most within 30 m²) and displayed strong reef fidelity that was not affected by season; no off-reef movement was detected and rockfishes generally returned from displacements. On artificial reefs, rockfishes also maintained small home ranges (most within 30 m²), however, there were pronounced seasonal habitat preferences. In the summer, artificial reefs become less suitable; considerable off-reef movement occurred and rockfish did not return from displacements. In contrast, during fall and winter, rockfishes remained on artificial reefs and returned from displacements. On low relief rocky reefs, rockfishes maintained considerably larger home ranges (most within 400 m² and some up to 1500 m²) and habitat use was strongly affected by season; rockfishes only inhabited low relief reefs in the summer and only returned from displacements in the summer coincident when peak algal cover. In addition, there was substantial movement between artificial reefs and adjacent low relief reefs; many rockfishes leave artificial reefs in the summer, move to low relief reefs, and return to artificial reefs in the fall when kelp disappears on low relief reefs. Through habitat assessment, movement in response to habitat quality, and ability to home, these rockfish maintain a flexible behavior for optimal habitat use.     

Commuting,shifting or remaining?: Different spatial utilisation patterns of wild boar Sus scrofa L. in forest and field crops during summer

In a radiotelemetry study in North-East Germany, we analysed spatial utilisation of 22 female wild boar (Sus scrofa) out of 21 wild boar groups during summer (2003–2006). We compared summer season home ranges (16 May–15 August) with “field home ranges”, i.e. periods between first and last appearance within cereal fields. Wild boar appeared inside fields with beginning of grain and rapeseed flowering and vanished usually with harvest. Three types of spatial utilisation patterns were defined: “field sows”, who shifted their home range entirely into fields; “commuters”, who roamed between forest and fields; and “forest sows”, who remained in the forest. Yearlings were predominantly commuters, whilst family groups did not roam but either shifted to fields or stayed in forest.Field sows had smaller mean field home ranges than total summer home ranges, whereas commuters and forest sows showed no differences. All three groups did not differ significantly in home range size measures but, however, showed different mean shifts from spring to summer home range. The home range sizes of sows of the different spatial patterns were similar, as all resources were permanently available all-over the study area. However, dislocations into outstanding profitable nutritional habitats (e.g. agricultural fields in summer) may enlarge annual home ranges of commuters and field sows.     

Home Range Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perodicticus potto edwardsi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sciurocheirus cameronensis</Emphasis>

Because the spatial arrangements of nocturnal prosimians are often used to indicate their social systems, it is important to assess the reliability of methods used to analyze ranging patterns. We compared methods of home range analysis for 2 species of nocturnal prosimians: central pottos (Perodicticus potto edwardsi) and Cross River Allens galagos ({Sciurocheirus cameronensis}). We conducted radio-tracking studies of 10 pottos and 8 galagos from October 1999 – November 2000 in the montane rain forests of southwest Cameroon. We calculated home ranges via minimum convex polygon (MCPs) and kernel analyses. Adult potto home ranges averaged 145.2 ha (MCPs) versus only 28.4 ha via kernel analysis; the difference is statistically significant. The mean home range of galagos is 18.3 ha via MCPs and 2.19 ha via kernel analysis; the difference is statistically significant. Neither MCP nor kernel analyses revealed a sex difference in adult home ranges for pottos and galagos. Kernel analysis gave more reliable estimates of home ranges than the minimum convex polygon method used in many studies of nocturnal prosimians. Minimum convex polygon analysis tended to overestimate the range sizes and to include many areas not traversed by the animal. We compared our findings with those from an earlier study of similar species in Gabon, where little attention was given to the home range analysis, technique. Together with studies of lemur spatial systems they highlight the importance of considering the method of home range analysis when it is to be applied to understanding social systems.