THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FREE-RANGING SPACE USE
PATTERNS AND CAPTIVE OPEN ARENA BEHAVIORAL TESTS IN
MUSKRAT (ONDATRA ZIBETHICUS)
Jeffrey S. Hatzel (Leann Kanda)
Departments of Biology / Environmental Studies & Sciences, Ithaca College
Habitat fragmentation is a major threat to biodiversity, making it essential to gain an
understanding of the movements and resource needs of animals in fragmented landscapes. Most
research focuses on discovering generalities (be it for a population or entire species) however
there is increasing evidence that individuals will show consistent and cross-context differences
(Sih 2004). These temperaments in animals coupled with the influence of habitat fragmentation
will have ecological and evolutionary consequences. Although captive exploratory tests have
been performed on several mammal species to assess behavior and personality, these results are
typically not compared to the animal’s behavior in the wild. This study attempts to quantify any
correlation between captive behavioral tests and free-ranging home-range and dispersal
patterns in a Lansing, New York muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) population. Trapped muskrats
were observed in an open arena behavioral test and juveniles were
subsequently monitored with radio telemetry for home range space
use and dispersal patterns. Captive tests did not significantly
correlate with home range size (p=0.93), distance traveled from
original burrow (p=0.34), or number of burrow shifts (p=0.59).
There was evidence to suggest a correlation between home range
size and habitat type (either man-made pond or natural marsh),
which could provide future direction for the study.