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An Ethological Study of Diurnal Behavior in Woodchucks (Marmota Monax Monax) During the Vernal Period

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Abstract

The diurnal behavior of woodchucks (Marmota monax monax) was studied in a selected area within a niche of habitat between April 8 and May 17 in Letchworth State Park, New York. Activity in each of five behavior categories was found to differ significantly from values predicted from earlier studies. Vernal behavior was found to be predominantly foraging in nature. Daily patterns of activity which changed with the seasonal warming were interpreted as supporting earlier observations that woodchuck activity was tied to temperature changes. Early in the vernal period activity was characteristically unimodal with a peak at midday. Later, as temperatures were warmer and hours of daylight longer, activity was bimodal, peaking early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, State University College of Arts and Sciences, Geneseo, N. Y., 14454, USA

    Kelley A. Conrad &  Frederick G. Fidura

Authors
  1. Kelley A. Conrad
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  2. Frederick G. Fidura
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Additional information

The assistance of Don Adams, Letchworth State Park Superintendent, and Fred W. Short, Genesee State Park Commission Landscape Architect, materially contributed to the success of this study and is gratefully acknowledged.

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Conrad, K.A., Fidura, F.G. An Ethological Study of Diurnal Behavior in Woodchucks (Marmota Monax Monax) During the Vernal Period. Psychol Rec 20, 509–512 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393973

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393973

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