--We exposed naive Siberain polecats (Mustela eversmanni) (aged 2, 3, and 4 months) to a swooping stuffed great horned owl (Bubo virginianus') and a stuffed badger (Taxidae taxus) mounted on a remote control toy automobile frame. The first introduction to each was harmless, the second was accompanied by a mild aversive stimulus, the third (1 day after attack) was harmless, and the fourth (30 days after attack) was harmless. Alert behavior increased after a single attack by either predator model. Escape responses of naive polecats did not differ between ages when exposed to the badger, but 4 month old polecats reduced their escape times after a single badger attack. When exposed to the swooping owl, naive 4 month old polecats responded more quickly than the other two age groups, and 3 and 4 month old polecats reduced escape times after a single owl attack. This indicates an innate escape response to the owl model at 4 months of age, and a short-term ability to remember a single mild aversive encounter with the badger and owl models at 3 or 4 months of age.Successful anti-predator behavior involves both recognition of a potential predator and the appropriate response performed in an efficient manner. Failure to respond appropriately can quickly lead to death. While some species may retain anti-predator behaviors in the absence of predatory pressures, other species undergo erosion of those traits when selective pressures are showed greater general mobility, covey coordination, predator avoidance skills, and higher survival rates than inexperienced quail (Ellis et al. 1977). Hand-reared turquoise-browed motroots (Eumotota superciliosa) innately avoided model coral snakes (Smith 1975). Naive and experienced ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii and Spermophilus beecheyi) and naive and experienced black-tailed prarie dogs

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-Captive-raised mustelids appear to have a rudimentary capacity to kill prey, but the skills necessary for locating prey may be eroded during captivity. We tested the maturational component of prey-searching behavior with captive-raised Siberian polecats (Mustela eversmanni) by subjecting polecats to a simulated prairie dog colony of 6 burrows within a 200 m 2 arena. Ten naive Siberian polecats at ages 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 months (30 total) were deprived of food for 12 hours. A dead prairie dog was placed in 1 prairie dog burrow and the other 5 were empty. A single Siberian polecat was released onto the colony shortly before sunset and its movements monitored from an observation tower. Older Siberian polecats located prey significantly quicker than younger polecats, but all age groups spent a great deal of time in surface activity not directed toward a burrow. When Siberian polecats were about 10 months old, all burrows in the arena were plugged with dirt including the burrow with the prairie dog. In this winter test, Siberian polecats located the prey but still spent a great deal of time in non-burrow directed surface activity. Economical use of surface time, with a low amount of nonburrow directed behavior, would presumably reduce the risk of predation for hunting polecats.Predators must be able to locate and handle prey efficiently. Among mustelids, there are reports of first opportunity killing ability in captive-raised ermine (Mustela erminea; Gossow 1970) (Mustela vison; R. Powell 1982). These observations indicate that captive-raised mustelids have at least a rudimentary innate capacity to kill prey. For a captive-raised mustelid, however, locating prey in a natural situation may be different.Two nine-month-old hand raised fishers killed prey on first exposure in captivity, but starved to death after release into the wild because they were unable to search for food successfully (Kelly 1977).In this study we tested the maturation of hunting (searching) behavior of captive-raised Siberian polecats. Because Siberian polecats and black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) are ecological and morphological equivalents showing numerous behavioral parallels (Hillman 1968;Hoffman and Pattie 1968; Stronganov 1969;Biggins et al. 1985;Clark et al. 1986; Richardson et al. 1987;Miller