Oral Presentations and Performances: Session II
Project Type
Presentation
Project Funding and Affiliations
Wildlife Biology Department, Hebblewhite Lab
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Mark Hebblewhite
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Wildlife Biology
Additional Mentor
Chad Bishop, Lisa Eby
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their history of domestication, it is believed they have an extended foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), yet there are few (or no) studies examining this assumption. I am examining this assumption by comparing the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes. My dataset consists of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The result is a graph comparing the foaling seasons of the different horse herds. Depending on the difference of foaling seasons, I will be able to generate hypotheses regarding the phenology of the herds and their relation to latitude. This will help inform future studies and add to our understanding of feral horses in North America.
Category
Life Sciences
Exploring the Reproductive Phenology of Feral Horses in North America
UC 327
Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their history of domestication, it is believed they have an extended foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), yet there are few (or no) studies examining this assumption. I am examining this assumption by comparing the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes. My dataset consists of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The result is a graph comparing the foaling seasons of the different horse herds. Depending on the difference of foaling seasons, I will be able to generate hypotheses regarding the phenology of the herds and their relation to latitude. This will help inform future studies and add to our understanding of feral horses in North America.