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Locomotory activity of captive Cryptomys hottentotus , (Mammalia: Bathyergidae), a fossorial rodent
Author(s) -
Hickman Graham C.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1980.tb04231.x
Subject(s) - fossorial , burrow , biology , rodent , zoology , ecology
Locomotory activity of six mole‐rats kept singly and in various sized groups was monitored for a total of 1728 hours by use of photocells, event recorder, and a 21 metre long, transparent burrow system. Movement in tunnelways was recorded for all hours of a 24 hour period. Locomotory activity for individuals and a two member group average14–24% of the total time, while a four member group averaged 57% of the total time. Approximately five rest periods per day averaged 50 minutes duration each. The effects of social isolation, burrow length, diet, and individual variation on locomotory activity of fossorial mammals are discussed.