Foraging Decisions

The way an animal behaves is immensely influenced by its surrounding environment. The process by which an animal acquires its food in its habitat can be affected by several elements, both biotic and abiotic. When foraging, it is essential that animals consider food selection and availability, risks of predation, and competition with other animals for the same food source. Among the diversity of factors upon which foraging decisions are made is the risk of predation and habitat structure. According to Powell and Banks (2004) predator odors along with habitat structure are thought to influence the behaviour of small mammalian prey, which use them as cues to reduce risks of predation.

In this experiment foraging habits of small mammals are

The campus maintains three natural areas: the Russell R. Kirt Prairie, the Ecological Study Area, and the B.J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary. The Russell R. Kirt Prairie is an 18-acre natural area consisting of about six acres of marsh, a one-acre retention pond, 11 acres of reconstructed prairie and savanna planted between 1984 and 2000, and a quarter mile of display/seed production beds planted in 1997 along the southern boundary of the preserve (cod.edu). The ecological study area is a 15-acre natural area consisting of about three acres of marsh, four acres of successional woodland, and eight acres of reconstructed prairie planted between 1975 and 1997 (cod.edu). The reconstructed tallgrass plot contains some 150 species, which have been established after seed broadcasting and seedling transplant. The flora is characteristic of the mesic prairie which once dominated the area (Getz and Hofmann 2001). Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash) and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis Gray) are the dominant grasses (Getz and Hofmann 1999). Burns are prescribed every two years. Data was collected from three study sites located within the West Prairie-Marsh nature preserve; Pond 1, Pond 2, and Pond 3. Each pond is surrounded by a mosaic of microhabitats over which various small mammals