Effects of food and predators on the home-range sizes of arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii)

• Main Authors: Hubbs, Anne H., Boonstra, Rudy
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: NRC Canada 1998
• Subjects: Arctic; Yukon
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/354

We used radiotelemetry to study the effects of food addition and predator reduction on the home-range sizes of adult arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) on large-scale experimental grids in the boreal forest of the southwestern Yukon Territory. Home ranges were 2-7 times smaller on food-supplemented grids than on nonsupplemented grids, regardless of whether large mammalian predators were present. Similarly, core areas (where 50% of activities occur) were 8-11 times smaller on food-supplemented grids. Food availability rather than predator presence primarily determined the sizes of home ranges and core areas of arctic ground squirrels.