Le terrier d' Apodemus sylvaticus L.: Sa construction en terrarium et son adaptation a des facteurs externes et internes

Abstract

In terrarium conditions, burrowing and nest-building activities were found to be regular enough to allow a systematic study. As part of this analysis, a technique for quantification of these activities is described. Qualitative information on burrowing behaviour was obtained with cinematography. • -Several sex differences were observed: females make deeper nests and more complex burrows than males. • -Natural fluctuations of some of the measured activities were found to be linked to the ambient temperature. Low temperature induces an increase in the burrowing, the nest insulation and in the hoarding of food. • -The intensity of illumination during nest building affects nest depth and surface activities. • -The effect of either food deprivation or castration upon nest building was also investigated. While food deprivation increased nest insulation and decreased the burrowing, post-pubertal castration did not alter the observed activities in either sex.