Ecological Observations on the Woodrat, Neotoma floridanaRainey, Dennis G.
Science
Ecological Observations on the Woodrat, Neotoma floridana
Rainey, Dennis G.
Wood rats
(9.) This male was caught as a juvenile (75 grams) on
October 8, 1950. On November 9 he had moved 220 feet, from
the lower outcrop to the upper, and he was recaptured at or
near this same site on November 10, 28 and 29, and on
January 11 and February 9, 1951. On November 21, 1951, grown
to maximum adult size, he was caught at a new location 1080
feet from the original.
(10.) This male was caught as a subadult twice at the same
place on November 30 and December 14. By the following
autumn he had shifted to a new location 180 feet south along
the outcrop, and he was caught there on September 22 and
October 18, 1951, and on January 20 and February 2, 1952.
_Females_
(11.) This female was captured 27 times over a span of 211
days. She moved back and forth considerably between two
houses 40 feet apart but made only one substantial movement
of 245 feet; at this time she was in breeding condition.
Nearly seven months after the first capture she was seen for
the last time only 16 feet from the original site of
capture. It was assumed she fell prey to spotted skunks
which were raiding traps.
(12.) First captured on March 24, 1951, she remained on the
area 105 days in which period she was live-trapped 25 times.
Sixty per cent of the total captures were at the same house
and the longest movement recorded was only 56 feet. She was
last caught in a trap 25 feet from the site of original
capture.
(13.) This young adult remained at her house at the rock
fence approximately four months. In this period she was
captured 11 times. On March 16, 1952, she had moved 410 feet
to a house at the eastern section of outcrop, probably
searching for a male. She was never seen again.
(14.) This subadult female moved from the site of original
capture to a house 253 feet away on the same outcrop. She
was probably in search of a new home when caught the first
time. She was recorded at another house 40 feet away on one
occasion.
(15.) Over a span of 90 days and 15 captures this female was
not recorded as making any movement. She was living in one
of the woodland houses. Mature males were numerous in the
area and she was visited by at least two.
(16.) This female was also living in the woodland section
and was first caught on March 30, 1952, in one of the less
favorable houses. She was trapped 17 times over a period of
85 days. One movement of 68 feet to a new home site was
recorded, but the area of foraging probably did not change.
She was caught here four times and then disappeared.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account