Mammal Use of Shortgrass Prairie and Associated Riparian Habitat in Wyoming

Authors

  • Anthony G. Elliott Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
  • Stanley H. Anderson U.S Geological Survey, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming
  • Wayne A. Hubert U.S Geological Survey, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming

Keywords:

small mammals, sagebrush voles, western harvest mice, deer mice, prairie voles, dward shrews, shortgrass prairie, riparian, habitat, Wyoming

Abstract

Small mammal habitat relations were investigated in shortgrass prairie and riparian plant associations in southeast Wyoming in 1994 and 1995. Capture of sagebrush voles (Lemmiscus curtatus), western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis), and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were associated with short cover or larger amounts of bare ground, habitat typical of upland areas of shortgrass prairie. Capture of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and dwarf shrews (Sorex nanus) were associated with tall cover, little bare ground and short distances to water, habitat typical of riparian areas. Our results show what habitat features are associated with capture of individual species in a shortgrass prairie ecosystem.

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Published

2024-02-03

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 4 (1997)

Section

Biological Sciences - Terrestrial Ecosystems [Articles]