Using Yandex.Map API for visualization of European badger (Meles meles) (Mustelidae, Mammalia) seasonal activity

The article describes the experience data visualization of the seasonal activity of the European badger in the investigated model settlement, which is located on the Oka-Don Plain, in the west of the Saratov Right Bank, in the middle river Hoper. Residential burrows of the family group were located on a arroyo and bordered by a floodplain forest, pine plantings, artificial and transformed landscapes. The activity of animals in different parts of the family territory of the social group under study was determined using the bait-marking method. As part of the study, a script was developed for graphical display of data on the use of territory by animals in the form of heat maps created using the Yandex.Maps API. On the resulting heat map, the frequency use values of areas of the settlement are displayed using a set of simple or weighted points attached to the coordinates, the proximity of which increases the intensity of the substrate color. As a result of the data visualization of the family territory use by a European badger in the spring, summer and autumn, a heat map was obtained. For comparison, a map was constructed, on which the boundary of the movement of badgers during the same periods of study was marked. The relationship between the food spectrum of the family group of badgers and their use of such areas as the floodplain forest, pine plantings, settlement and others (steppe areas, arroyo, shores of old lakes) in different seasons of the year are analyzed. There is reason to conclude that the animals of the settlement studied have a certain strategy in moving around their territory, which is primarily related to the search for available food at this time of year. No less important is the marking activity, attractors, as well as the natural and anthropogenic factors impact. In connection with the positive experience in the research of the seasonal activity of a badger, we can talk about the possibility of introducing the Yandex.Maps visualization in displaying large amounts of information and creating graphic databases for other parameters and other animal species.