Burrow Use by the Florida Mouse (Podomys floridanus) in South-Central Florida

Abstract

-Florida mice (Podomys fioridanus) radio-tracked in xeric upland habitats in S-central Florida used gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows exclusively. The mice showed no obvious preference for active, inactive or abandoned burrows and used both main entrances and small ground holes (chimneys) for access. Over periods of 2-19 days, individuals were found in from 1-5 different locations within the same burrow and used from 1-3 different burrows. Mice were typically located in side passages off the main burrow. Locations of males and females did not differ in the distance from the entrance (combined X ? SE = 161 ? 20 cm) or depth below ground (combined x = 68 ? 9 cm), but males were closer to the main burrow (x = 86 ? 18 cm) than females (x 172 ? 24 cm). In the same study area 4 yr earlier, cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus) also used tortoise burrows extensively but typically occupied the main burrow instead of a side passage. This difference between the two species in site preference within gopher tortoise burrows and their apparent tolerance of joint occupancy of burrows presumably reduce interspecific competition for homesites in habitats in which Florida mice and cotton mice co-occur. The Florida mouse is more specialized behaviorally and morphologically for burrow dwelling than the cotton