The foraging behaviour and diet of red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris receiving supplemental feeding

摘要: The effect of ad libitum supplemental feeding upon the diet and foraging behaviour red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris was studied in a coniferous habitat during May 1994 - July 1996. Although form peanuts widely available, animals continued to exploit natural foods such as pine seed, buds flowers. degree which seed exploited function cone availability. In contrast, peanut consumption not correlated with availability, but determined by abundance cones. During late winter spring when becoming scarce, contributed 30–56% dietary items. addition, increasing amounts alternative ‘low energy’ flowers were also exploited. These are calcium rich their ingestion would compensate for high phosphorus content peanuts. nutritional composition appears have restricted they could be included diet. Nevertheless an important component, seasonally 25–181% animals' basic daily energy requirements. Supplemental associated relatively large activity occurring on ground (annual mean estimates 47 50% total time). exhibit ‘scatter-hoarding’ behaviour, accounting 90% identified cached This stored resource satisfy 344 (1994/95) 198 (1995/96) days