The Distribution and Movement of Small Mammals in Central Oklahoma

Abstract

The distribution and movement of mammals has been the subject of much interest and research. Some mammals are known to range widely in search of food and mates while others live their entire lives in a relatively small area. This movement, as revealed by various methods of trapping or marking and recapturing the same animal, was studied even when live traps were only tin cans, glass bowls and buckets (Bailey, 1921). The purpose of the present investigation was to secure information on the distribution, relative abundance and natural movements of small mammals, especially rodents, in two vegetative types (open grassland and wooded ravine) and to determine whether they move into and out of the two areas. Since both live traps and snap traps were utilized in the capture of small mammals, it was further desired to compare the effectiveness of the two methods of trapping in each vegetative type. The investigation was initiated on September 1, 1952, and was carried on continuously for one year. Study area .—The area used in the live-trap study is located approximately 7 mi. SW Norman, Oklahoma, along State Highway 9, in Sec. 8, T. 8 N, R. 3 W, in McClain County (Fig. 1). The area utilized in snap trapping and other investigations is located within a radius of 4 miles of the live trap area. It is believed that the area selected for carrying out all investigations is typical of the tall-grass prairie of today with respect to topography, exposure, soil, stream course and other natural factors. Fig. 1 Location of the study area, McClain County, Oklahoma. The area studied lies in the mixed-grass plains biotic district of Blair and Hubbel (1938). It is a part of the Texan biotic province of Dice (1943). Carpenter (1939) described the tall-grass prairie as an …