Great Plains Natural Science Society
The Prairie Naturalist
Date of this Version
9-2006
Document Type
Article
Citation
The Prairie Naturalist (September 2006) 38(3): 145-154
Associate editor for mammalogy: Brock R. McMillan
Abstract
We examined use of artificial burrows by the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) in mixed grass prairie in north central Kansas. We predicted differential use of burrows, such that the deer mouse would prefer two entrance burrows in non-winter months when predatory snakes were active, but prefer one entrance burrows in winter when cold, windy conditions existed. We installed 20 pairs of artificial burrows (one single entrance and one double entrance) in summer 1988. We examined these burrows on seven dates from autumn 1988 to autumn 1989. All mice (n = 70) used two entrance burrows at least once, whereas only 44% of individuals used single entrance burrows. Individuals selected two entrance over one entrance burrows in autumn, winter, and summer; spring was not sampled. The proportion of occupied burrows was significantly higher for two entrance than single entrance burrows irrespective of number of individuals present. For all parameters examined, two entrance burrows were used similarly to or preferred over one entrance burrows. Subsequently, we modified the artificial burrow by adding a third entrance to the nest chamber; as expected, the deer mouse used these burrows readily.
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Animal Sciences Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Botany Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Comments
Copyright 2006, Kaufman and Kaufman. Used by permission