Date of Award

Summer 1983

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

Program/Concentration

Biology

Committee Director

Robert K. Rose

Committee Member

John R. Holsinger

Committee Member

Gerald Levy

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.B46 S29

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether homing occurred in the southern flying squirrel, Glauaomys volans, and if so, the greatest homing distance. Information on the squirrel's ecology, reproductive biology and use of artificial nest boxes was also obtained. The study was conducted from November 1978 through March 1981, using nest boxes placed in a deciduous forest in southeastern Virginia.

For the homing experiments, twenty squirrels were released a total of 29 times along three lines at distances of 250 m to 1.6 km from the homesites. Squirrels were found to home successfully up to 1,000 m.

The boxes were used as primary nests, secondary nests or feeding stations. They were utilized extensively between November and March, with peak aggregation sizes being reached during the coldest months.

Mating began in mid-January, with parturitions in late February and early March. Squirrels left the study area shortly after reaching maturity.

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DOI

10.25777/s59q-6028

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