Characteristics of the Burrows of Four Species of Rodents in Undisturbed Soils in Southeastern Idaho

Dimensions of the burrow systems of four small mammals common to southeastern Idaho (Spermophilus townsendii, Dipodomys ordii, Microtus montanus and Peromyscus maniculatus) were determined in undisturbed soils. Spermophilus constructed two distinct burrow systems: over 120 cm deep and less than 60 cm deep. The deeper systems were significantly longer and had larger volume than the shallower burrows and the systems constructed by the other species. Burrow parameters for Dipodomys were bimodal, suggesting deep and shallow burrows, but this was not demonstrated statistically. All parameters for Dipodomys burrows were similar to shallow Spermophilus burrows. Volumes of both were significantly greater than volumes for Peromyscus and Microtus. A significant portion of the variability of all parameters for Microtus and shallow Spermophilus burrows was explained by the distribution of soil particle sizes, but equations based on these were only of limited value in predicting burrow parameters.

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