Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Pike, D. A., & Grosse, A. M. (2006). Daily activity of immature gopher tortoises (gopherus polyphemus) with notes on commensal species. Florida Scientist, 69(2), 92–98.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:31:54 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Pike2006a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Gopherus, Gopherus polyphemus, Habitat = habitat, Nordamerika = North America, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae Creators: Grosse, Pike Collection: Florida Scientist |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Juvenile reptile activity and behavioral patterns are scant in the literature, especially in long-lived species including turtles and tortoises. To better understand activity patterns, we used automated camera units to record daily activities of hatchling and juvenile gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). This species concentrates activity around self-excavated burrows, and by placing cameras at burrow entrances we were able to gather activity data on both tortoises and other species using tortoise burrows. Hatchling tortoises spent more than twice as much time outside burrows as juveniles, but on average juveniles emerged from burrows slightly more often than hatchlings. Neither group emerged from burrows daily, and most emergences were during the morning. We also documented the first data on gopher tortoises emerging from burrows at night, when they appear to drink during heavy rainstorms. Mammals and reptiles were the major commensal species. Young tortoises emerge from burrows on a regular basis and spend considerable time outside burrows, although their habitat preferences when out foraging, as well as their small size, may contribute to the paucity of observations on immature gopher tortoises.
Added by: Admin |