Predation on Small Mammals in the Dismal Swamp, Virginia

Abstract

It is well known that small mammals are preyed upon by larger animals and are important in the food chains of most terrestrial communities. A great deal of information on this subject has already been published. However, since much remains to be learned, the author is prompted to present this brief note on predation in the Dismal Swamp area of southeastern Virginia. On July 4, 1954, a large copperhead snake (Ancistrodon contortrix Linnaeus) was captured as it swam in a small stagnant pond at the edge of the swamp. Dissection of its stomach revealed the partly digested remains of a short-tailed shrew (Blarina telmalestes Mer-riam). The copperhead is common on the edges of the Dismal Swamp. In Princess Anne County, east of the swamp, on February 12, 1956,1 secured a saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadica Gmelin) that had been killed by a car. Its stomach contained remains of...