In order to determine how much water was available to mice in the peak
of the breeding season, samples of the three most common plants in the
study area were collected each week for analysis of their moisture
content. Plants were placed in separate plastic bags that were sealed in
the field. About a dozen plants of each species were used in each
determination. Only the new tender shoots of the plants were collected,
for it was assumed that mice would eat these in preference to the
tougher basal portions of the plants. The plants were taken immediately
to the laboratory and were weighed in the bag. Then the bag was opened
and it and the contents placed in an incubator at 85 degrees Fahrenheit
for a period of at least 72 hours. About 48 hours were required to dry
the plants to a constant weight. The dried plants were weighed and their
percentages of moisture were determined. Plants lose some water upon
being placed in a closed bag; small drops of water appear immediately on
the inner surface of the bag. Therefore, the bag must be weighed at the
same time as the plants and the weight of the dried bag must be
subtracted later.
The three kinds of plants chosen were among the most widely distributed
species in the study area, and all three grow close to the ground,
within reach of mice. Stems and leaves of two of the plants, _Comandra
umbellata_ and _Penstemon linarioides_, were readily eaten by captive
animals. Mice also were observed to eat leaves of _Comandra_ after being
released from metal live traps. The third species, _Solidago
petradoria_, differs from the other two in having a short woody stem
that branches at ground level. The more succulent shoots arise from this
woody stem. The leaves of _Solidago_ are coarse and were not eaten by
captive mice. Nevertheless, this species was chosen because it is widely
distributed and has the growth form of several other species of plants
in the area.
The graph in Figure 20 shows that _Comandra_ contains the highest
percentage of water through most of the summer. Water content of both
_Penstemon_ and _Comandra_ was greatly reduced in the dry period that
occurred in early July. _Solidago_ maintained a relatively constant
percentage of moisture; perhaps its woody stem serves for water storage.
The rains of July and August increased the percentage of moisture in the
plants, but not to the extent expected. Neither _Solidago_ nor
_Comandra_ reached the levels of hydration of early June. All plants
were collected at or about 11 A. M. At night, when mice are active,
these plants would be expected to contain a higher percentage of water
than in the daytime.
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