Vigilance in the golden-mantled ground squirrel (<i>Spermophilus lateralis</i>): effect of age and distance to human-created structures
Abstract
Animals are expected to maximize feeding success while minimizing predation risk; however, foraging and vigilance behaviors often conflict. I studied this trade-off in Golden- mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis), with respect to human-created structures in Gothic, CO, site of the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab. Structures such as cabins and outhouses obstruct the view of predators but may also be used as cover. This observational study was done to determine how vigilance was affected by the structures. For each individual, observations were taken at 10-s intervals for one min and distance from the squirrel to nearest structure was measured. Amount of time spent vigilance increased with distance to nearest structure. Age class was taken into consideration because several litters of ground squirrels emerged during the study. Juveniles exhibited less vigilant behaviors and more non-vigilant behaviors but were mostly observed within 10 m of a structure. Adult ground squirrels exhibited vigilant behaviors more frequently than non-vigilant but had a wider range in which they were observed from the nearest structure (about 30 m). This study shows distance to human-created structures affects the activity and behavior of Golden-mantled ground squirrels in human-occupied habitats.
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