Thread by @am_anatiala

NEXT UP: # 3 seed Bay Cat (Catopuma badia) vs # 6 seed Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)! #2021MMM

This battle was a collab between @kwasiscientific & me #2021MMM

Bay Cats are particularly elusive, often being difficult to camera trap unless cameras are placed off-trail (journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…; Wearn et al. 2013). Why avoid trails? Maybe to avoid the four other cat species that it shares the rainforest with! #2021MMM

Predictive habitat analysis suggests that Bay Cats are core forest specialists, requiring intact habitat to survive & thrive (researchgate.net/publication/30…; Hearn et al. 2016). #2021MMM

Unlike its furtive feline opponent, the red fox has adapted to a wide range of habitats and environments, from forests, mountaintops, farmland, and urban cityscapes. #2021MMM

Red fox's can adjust their behavior when settling into urban environments, where they are more active at night to avoid humans and, more importantly, the tiny wolves humans hang out with! doi.org/10.1093/jue/ju… #2021MMM

Despite their global success, some Red fox populations are struggling. The rare Cascade red fox is restricted to isolated, mountain habitat in the Western US, and represents a unique and historic genetic lineage. link.springer.com/article/10.100… #2021MMM

If you would like to learn more about the Cascade red fox, and potentially help out with the conversation effort, hit up the Cascade Carnivore Project, managed by our own @TCastanea ! cascadescarnivore.org/volunteer #2021MMM

In the carnivore world, a cat versus dog battle can turn deadly! Across the world, Red Foxes are killed by bobcats & two different species of lynx (digital.csic.es/bitstream/1026…; Palomares & Caro 1999). #2021MMM

However, in this case, Red Fox has about 3 kg (~14 stoats) on the Bay Cat. Meanwhile, the Bay Cat has the home advantage. Who shall be victorious? #StoatsAsMeasurement #2021MMM

Tonight's battle takes place in Borneo's Batang Ai-Lanjak-Entimau complex, home to the Indigenous Iban. This park/reserve complex is also home to the region's only orangutan population, which Dr. Rubis (@JuneRubis), a Biduyah conservation biologist, previously studied! #2021MMM

By the way, Borneo is just one place in the world where palm oil is grown. Learn about this common oil's environmental pros & cons here kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.338…! #2021MMM

Red Fox is once again snuffling, but this time, in the Bornean rainforest! It is currently 11 in the morning, 88 degrees, with 65% humidity. Since the enormous VontsBurger, Red Fox has been hunting its typical small mammal menu & is looking for a cool place to digest. #2021MMM

Meanwhile, Bay Cat, is resting in a cool, shady den under a tree root embankment. The day is usually Bay Cat roaming time, but they're also digesting a recent meal. #2021MMM

Bay Cat's slitted eyes widened & his ears flicker forward. Something big is headed his way! #2021MMM

Red Fox snuffles his way directly onto Bay Cat's doorstep! #2021MMM

Red Fox notes the weird-looking cat, but isn't particularly interested in it (researchgate.net/publication/34…; Ruiz-Villar et al. 2021). He just wants the nice place the Bay Cat has. #2021MMM

Bay Cat doesn't have a lot of experience with canids, but he only needs to know one thing: this big creature has found him in a vulnerable state. Bay Cat immediately stands up on his toes, arching his back, showing Red Fox his side & growling! #2021MMM

In Red Fox's experience, even the bravest Walnut Creek cats would rather run than fight him. Red Fox creeps forward, curious & intent on pressing his size advantage. #2021MMM

Bay Cat hisses!

When the Red Fox gets in range, Bay Cat swipes, his claws sinking deep in the Red Fox's nose! #2021MMM

Red Fox yips, then jumps back, shaking its head.

What a stubborn cat!

Red Fox rushes forward, baring his gleaming teeth.

This will scare the Bay Cat off. #2021MMM

Bay Cat gives the Red Fox a lightning-fast one-two-three on his muzzle.

When the Red Fox backs up, Bay Cat charges, striking out again! #2021MMM

Red Fox runs out of range & off the battlefield. No shelter is worth this. #2021MMM

BAY CAT RUNS OFF RED FOX!!! #2021MMM