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Age differences in arousal and vigilance in California ground squirrels ( Spermophilus beecheyi )
Author(s) -
Hanson Mark T.,
Coss Richard G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.1045
Subject(s) - vigilance (psychology) , arousal , ground squirrel , foraging , juvenile , zoology , habitat , ecology , psychology , biology , thermoregulation , neuroscience
Newly emerged pup, juvenile, and adult California ground squirrels ( Spermophilus beecheyi douglasii ) were videorecorded at a seminatural field site in northern California. Video data revealed age differences in the budgeting of ground squirrel behavior, habitat use, and physiological arousal as indicated by morphometric analyses of tail piloerection. Adults and juveniles devoted their time to foraging in the open at feeding stations while displaying low to moderate levels of arousal, respectively. Pups remained vigilant on the fringe of covered habitats while displaying comparatively higher levels of arousal. Higher pup arousal may facilitate memory formation during early stages of development. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 39: 199–206, 2001