The Effects of Predator Cues on Vertical Foraging Habits in the White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)

<p>Predation risk can have a strong influence on foraging behavior. I hypothesized that 1) <em>Peromyscus leucopus </em>would climb trees and forage at greater heights if there is coyote urine present and 2) if there are owl pellets present, <em>P. leucopus</em> would avoid foraging at that tree. To explore these hypotheses, giving-up densities (GUDs) were measured by using foraging trays mounted on trees in an oak forest located in eastern Will County Illinois. Data was analyzed using repeated measures MANOVA. Scent was the only significant difference during owl pellet treatments (P=0.0471, df=1). A significant difference was found between scent (P=0.0183, df=1), scent and day (P=0.0447, df=5), day, season and scent (P=0.0801, df=9), and foraging heights (P=0.0420, df=2) during the coyote treatments. <em>Peromyscus leucopus</em> foraged more at trees with owl pellets. They also<em> </em>foraged more at trees with coyote scent and more at the base than up in the trees. Foraging at trees could be safer because of their ability to climb or hide to escape predation. <em> </em></p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Biology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Stark, Caitlin

Contributors dc:contributor

• John Yunger, Ph. D.
• Mary E. Carrington, Ph.D.
• Timothy Gsell, Ph.D.

• Environmental Sciences

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opus.govst.edu/theses/4

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.govst.edu:theses-1008