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1 April 2004 ACTIVITY BUDGET AND FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF INTRODUCED CALLOSCIURUS FINLAYSONII (RODENTIA, SCIURIDAE) IN ITALY
Sandro Bertolino, Peter J. Mazzoglio, Manuela Vaiana, Italo Currado
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Abstract

We studied seasonal activity patterns and feeding behavior of a population of Finlayson's squirrel (Callosciurus finlaysonii) native to Indochina and introduced into Italy. Squirrels spent the majority of active time foraging, switching between resources according to availability. In winter, they fed mainly on buds or stripped bark, shifting to flowers when plants bloomed in spring, and to mature seeds and fruits from June to October. By November–December, bark-stripping became progressively more important. This activity accounted for 36.5% of the yearly feeding time. The flexibility to exploit a wide range of foods, the ability to change food habits throughout the year, and hoarding behavior are factors that could indicate a proclivity to use different habitats successfully.

Sandro Bertolino, Peter J. Mazzoglio, Manuela Vaiana, and Italo Currado "ACTIVITY BUDGET AND FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF INTRODUCED CALLOSCIURUS FINLAYSONII (RODENTIA, SCIURIDAE) IN ITALY," Journal of Mammalogy 85(2), 254-259, (1 April 2004). https://doi.org/10.1644/BPR-009
Accepted: 1 February 2003; Published: 1 April 2004
KEYWORDS
alien species
bark-stripping
food resources
Indochina
introduction
Italian habitats
seasonal change
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