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Location
Hot Springs, AR
Start Date
6-4-2003 12:00 AM
Description
Because the response of California ground squirrels to different baits varies with changes in the location, time, and mode of bait application, a solid understanding of ground squirrel foraging behavior is necessary for the development of effective, reduced risk baiting strategies. It has been assumed that ground squirrels will not consume bait placed in their burrows and that they may scatter it on the surface while clearing out their burrows. To determine how placing grain within the burrow affects the level of bait consumption by ground squirrels, we compared bait consumption when grain was applied within the burrow versus when grain was applied on the ground near the burrow entrance. Baiting was performed twice daily so that potential for consumption by squirrels during the day, and by non-target species at night could be evaluated. The level of daytime consumption for in-burrow baited burrows was lower than when bait was applied above ground. For both daytime and nighttime baiting periods, grain consumption was significantly higher for surface baited burrows. This indicates that surface baiting results in a higher level of bait acceptance by ground squirrels but in-burrow baiting does provide some bait acceptance.
Recommended Citation
Mahl, U. H. J., & Salmon, T. P. (2003). Within-burrow and surface feeding of oat grain by California ground squirrels. In Fagerstone, K.A. & Witmer, G.W. (Eds.), The Tenth Wildlife Damage Management Conference (370-377). Hot Springs, AR: National Wildlife Research Center.
Included in
Within-Burrow and Surface Feeding of Oat Grain by California Ground Squirrels
Hot Springs, AR
Because the response of California ground squirrels to different baits varies with changes in the location, time, and mode of bait application, a solid understanding of ground squirrel foraging behavior is necessary for the development of effective, reduced risk baiting strategies. It has been assumed that ground squirrels will not consume bait placed in their burrows and that they may scatter it on the surface while clearing out their burrows. To determine how placing grain within the burrow affects the level of bait consumption by ground squirrels, we compared bait consumption when grain was applied within the burrow versus when grain was applied on the ground near the burrow entrance. Baiting was performed twice daily so that potential for consumption by squirrels during the day, and by non-target species at night could be evaluated. The level of daytime consumption for in-burrow baited burrows was lower than when bait was applied above ground. For both daytime and nighttime baiting periods, grain consumption was significantly higher for surface baited burrows. This indicates that surface baiting results in a higher level of bait acceptance by ground squirrels but in-burrow baiting does provide some bait acceptance.