A system for the observation of voles under semi-natural conditions with applications to: social interactions, competition, food habits, habitat preference and bait accpetance.

Authors

D. S. Wilkie, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
M. A. Novak, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts

Date of this Version

March 1981

Comments

Published in Proceedings of the Fifth Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposium, Gettysburg, PA, March 4–5, 1981, Ross E. Byers, editor. Copyright © 1981 Wilkie and Novak.

Abstract

A laboratory system to study microtine rodents has been developed that avoids many of the intrinsic restrictions of earlier laboratory and field studies. The system is composed of two interconnected plexiglas tables with a soil substrate and hay cover. The system permits unconstrained visual observation of voles as they move within a runway network of their own construction. The flexibility of the system facilitates its use in various avenues of microtine research.