The Effect of Moon Phase on Predator and Prey Activity Levels on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Faculty Mentor
Charlotte Milling
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
5-8-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
5-8-2024 10:45 AM
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
Variation in nighttime illumination linked to moon phase has been demonstrated to affect the activity patterns of both prey and predator species. However, evidence of lunarphobia in ungulates is mixed. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) in Spokane County spans 23,000 acres; features a diverse landscape of channeled scablands, wetlands, and Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa); and is situated within 20 km of the second largest city in Washington. Our objective was to assess the influence of nighttime illumination on activity levels of common mammals on TNWR by quantifying the relationship between moon phase and visitation rate at trail cameras during biologically significant times of day for coyotes (Canis latrans) and deer (Odocoileus spp.). We hypothesized that visitation rate would be influenced by moon phase, with greater visitation by deer during new moons and by coyotes during full moons. We detected at least one species of deer or coyote at 100% and 60% of our trap sites, respectively; however, we did not detect an effect of moon phase on visitation rate of coyote (p = 0.51) or deer (p=0.49) during the period of observation. Additional research utilizing increased observation area, number of trap cameras, and length of monitoring time is suggested for future examination of moon phase and its relationship to predator and prey behavior. This research is important for clarifying the relationship between natural nighttime illumination and wildlife activity – knowledge that will be consequential as wildland-urban matrices continue to shift.
Recommended Citation
Schell, Jeff and Milling, Charlotte, "The Effect of Moon Phase on Predator and Prey Activity Levels on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 33.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/ps_2024/p1_2024/33
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
The Effect of Moon Phase on Predator and Prey Activity Levels on Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
PUB NCR
Variation in nighttime illumination linked to moon phase has been demonstrated to affect the activity patterns of both prey and predator species. However, evidence of lunarphobia in ungulates is mixed. Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR) in Spokane County spans 23,000 acres; features a diverse landscape of channeled scablands, wetlands, and Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa); and is situated within 20 km of the second largest city in Washington. Our objective was to assess the influence of nighttime illumination on activity levels of common mammals on TNWR by quantifying the relationship between moon phase and visitation rate at trail cameras during biologically significant times of day for coyotes (Canis latrans) and deer (Odocoileus spp.). We hypothesized that visitation rate would be influenced by moon phase, with greater visitation by deer during new moons and by coyotes during full moons. We detected at least one species of deer or coyote at 100% and 60% of our trap sites, respectively; however, we did not detect an effect of moon phase on visitation rate of coyote (p = 0.51) or deer (p=0.49) during the period of observation. Additional research utilizing increased observation area, number of trap cameras, and length of monitoring time is suggested for future examination of moon phase and its relationship to predator and prey behavior. This research is important for clarifying the relationship between natural nighttime illumination and wildlife activity – knowledge that will be consequential as wildland-urban matrices continue to shift.
