THE INFLUENCE OF MOONLIGHT AND LIGHT INTENSITY ON ACTIVITY OF POLECATS(MUSTELA EVERSMANNI)

The relationships between the moonlight, lunar cycle, light intensity and activity of polecats were studied in the field and laboratory by using radio tracking techniques and simulating light intensity Field data showed that the polecats were nocturnal animals, the moonlight did not affect the activity of the polecat Both of the male and female had same active patterns during different seasons, reproductive and non reproductive period The beginning time and ending time of the polecat did not relate to the lunar cycle and the time of the sunset and sunrise The laboratory data also showed that the polecats were mainly nocturnal animals even though they increased the daily active time because of the change of the environment, the light intensity did not affect the active patterns and the time of the polecat All of those indicated that the polecats had relatively stable active rhythm They did not appeared to reduce the active time and change the active patterns in bright moonlight and high light intensity during the activity phases as an anti predator response, they might reduced the high predatory risk by using different refugees such as burrows