Little is known about the adaptive significance of vigilance behavior in grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in east-central Indiana. Moreover, vigilance behavior in squirrels often differs among habitat types. In this study my objective was to determine if vigilance behavior in grey squirrels differs between areas of low and high levels of human activity.Information on vigilance behavior was collected during 855 times of 10second observation periods. Vigilant behavior was recorded each time a squi`6l stopped what it was doing and became vigilant (i.e., looked about its surrounding) during an observation period. Vigilance was monitored in two areas that differ in the amount of activity (high disturbance area) and the other area received little human activity (low disturbance area) In the wood and open area.Vigilant behavior was recorded from two distance categories (0 - 5, and > 5 meters) with respect to distance the squirrel appeared from the nearest tree or closest squirrel.Vigilance behavior in grey squirrels did not differ between a high disturbance area and a low disturbance area. The data suggested that the role of vigilance in grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) is functioning for predator avoidance and to identification of potential competitors. There was no special pattern variation of vigilance behavior between the different habitats investigated. There was no difference of squirrel vigilance behavior between disturbed and undisturbed wood but there was significant difference of vigilant behavior in disturbed open area and in undisturbed open area. / Department of Biology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/184834 |
| Date | January 1994 |
| Creators | Tarigan, Hendri |
| Contributors | Ball State University. Dept. of Biology., Gregory, Michael J. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iv, 24 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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