Is Squirrel Foraging Activity Associated with Temperature?

• Amy Skibiel

  Juniata College

  Author

• Beth Superka

  Juniata College

  Author

• Crystal Swan

  Juniata College

  Author

Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) foraging activity during early spring has been shown to vary throughout the day according to air temperature. We hypothesized that squirrel foraging activity should be highest in the morning when temperatures are lowest, and that foraging should be lower in the afternoon when temperatures are highest. We found that there is a negative correlation between temperature and foraging activity (r = -0.413, P = 0.036). Our data suggest that foraging activity is highest in the morning and at low to moderate temperatures.

• PDF