Hibernation and Overwinter Body Temperatures in Free-ranging Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels, ictidomys tridecemlineatus

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2012

Abstract

Free-ranging, juvenile thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) in southwestern Michigan were fitted in late summer or fall with external skin-temperature loggers. Data were obtained the following spring for five males and three females. During the heterothermal period, all squirrels exhibited 1122 prolonged ( x̄= 9.4 d) torpor bouts punctuated by typically brief ( x̄= 14.3 h) arousal bouts, with mean monthly torpor bouts becoming longer and deeper until Feb. and reversing thereafter. Torpor-bout duration increased as minimum skin and soil temperatures decreased. On average, males initiated the first torpor bout later in fall, terminated the last torpor bout significantly earlier in spring and thus spent less time in the heterothermal period than did females. Three males displayed relatively short torpor bouts and long arousal bouts as they approached the end of hibernation. Squirrels gained weight variably in fall and spring, and one female lost 39% of body mass during hibernation. © 2012, American Midland Naturalist.

Journal Title

American Midland Naturalist

Volume

167

Issue

2

First Page

396

Last Page

409

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031-167.2.396

First Department

Biology

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