Is there a birdfeeder, squirrel food, or squirrel-accessible trashcan nearby?
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Squirrels live on trees but can
also be located near the birdfeeders and trashcans, where they search for food.
They are highly territorial and noisy, especially during mating season, and
live in colonies, groups, and solitary, especially the grey squirrel (Diggins,
2021). The Grey squirrels are some of the most exciting creatures commonly seen
around birdfeeders, trashcans, and trees. According to Turpin K. (2020), they are
primarily active during the day as they gather for food and interact and less
active at night as they leave. Therefore, the background information for the
research was to investigate the behaviors of the grey squirrels around the
birdfeeders and trees. The research question for the study was: Is there a
birdfeeder, squirrel food, or squirrel-accessible trashcan nearby? The research
hypothesis was that squirrels are more sociable near trees because they live in
them, and we observe squirrels near trees and bird feeders. Squirrels near the
bird feeder will participate in less social behavior than squirrels in trees.
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Methods
The research entailed making two
observations of squirrels in my backyard for 10 minutes. The behaviors of the
grey squirrels were documented on the ethogram every 10 seconds for the entire
10 minutes. The research was conducted at 11 am for four consecutive days
assuming g that the weather was similar each day. A phone was used to provide a
weather application which was utilized to confirm the temperature.t was also
used to provide a timer and mark the location for the experiment. Moreover, the
birdfeeder located in the backyard was used to observe the behaviors of the
grey squirrels. It was combined with the observations of squirrels in the front
yard along a busy street. All observations were conducted and completed form at
least 10 yards away from the squirrels to avoid scaring them away during the
experiment. The results from the investigation were presented by calculating
the types and frequencies of the varying interactions between the squirrels
near the trashcans, birdfeeders, and trees.
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Results
During the first day of the
observations, the answer to the question of whether there was a birdfeeder,
squirrel food squirrel-accessible trashcan nearby was yes. The grey squirrels
were seen on the ground next to the birdfeeder between 0:20 to 1:20. The
squirrels are later seen on the ground between 1:40 and 2:00. They are also
observed on the ground near the fence between 2:20 to3:20. They are later seen
alert on the ground between 3:40 to 4:00 minutes. The squirrels then move to
the trees for approximately 1 min and later move out of sight for the rest of
the day.
The squirrels are not seen at the
beginning of the next day of the observation until 1:20 min when they are seen
moving on trees until 1:40. They are later seen on the ground from 2:00 to 3:00
near a tree trunk. They seem to be grooming from 3:20 to 3:40 on the tree and
interacting for 20 seconds, and later moved to the ground for 20seconds. They
are then seen on the ground by 5:20 minutes before moving to the birdfeeder at
5:40. They later move to the trees and out of sight.
The third day of observation
begins with the squirrel on the trees for 20 seconds before disappearing on the
trees where they were moving fast to be seen. By 6:40, the squirrel is seen on
the ground near the fence, alert for 20 seconds. The squirrel is then seen on
the ground traveling up to 8:00 min before moving to the trees for 20 seconds.
It then returns to the earth traveling for 20 seconds before moving out of
sight to the trees.
The last day of the observations
starts with the squirrel traveling on the tree and the bird feeder for up to 2
minutes. It later moves to the birdfeeder and begins vocalizing from 2:20 to
2:40. It is seen eating at the birdfeeder for 20seconds on the ground between
3:40 and 4:00 minutes. The squirrel is observed scatter-hoarding on trees
before moving out of sight for the rest of the day.
Discussion
The experiment involved recording
a T if a squirrel is observed on a tree, G if on the ground, or a B if near the
birdfeeder in the behavior column for what the squirrel is doing at each time
point. It also entailed recording a mark other than T or G in the appropriate
behavior column in the next blank row when a scatter-hoarding behavior is seen.
The results showed that squirrels spent 75% of their time chasing and hoarding
on trees in backyards and 20% chasing in hoarding in front yards. They are very
active during the day as they are seen on the ground and trees moving very
fast. They are considered forest dwellers and primarily feed on nuts and seeds
but will also eat fungus, insects, and berries. They store their food in small
amounts in several locations when the food is abundant (Turpin, 2020). Some
caches of seeds are never recovered and instead become seedlings. They also
spend about 5% of their time vocalizing and eating near the feed. The results
suggest that squirrels are more active in backyards than in front yards.
Therefore, if squirrels are more sociable near trees because they live in them,
and we observe squirrels near trees and bird feeders, squirrels near the bird
feeder will participate in less social behavior than squirrels in trees.
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Conclusion
Squirrels are some of the most
exciting creatures typically seen around birdfeeders, trashcans, and trees.
They live on trees but can also be located near the birdfeeders and trashcans
where they search for food. The research was conducted at 11 am for four
consecutive days assuming g that the weather was similar each day. The results
from the experiment were presented by calculating the types and frequencies of
the varying interactions between the squirrels near the trashcans, birdfeeders,
and trees. The results showed that squirrels spent 75% of their time chasing
and hoarding on trees in backyards and 20% chasing in hoarding in front yards.
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References
Diggins, C. (2021). Behaviors associated with vocal
communication of squirrels. Ecosphere, 12(6).
https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3572
Facts about
squirrels: Squirrel facts: Havahart®. Havahart. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28,
2022, from https://www.havahart.com/squirrel-facts
Turpin, K.
(2020, November 19). Squirrel behavior and territory. Pets on Mom.com.
Retrieved April 28, 2022, from
https://animals.mom.com/squirrelbehavior-territory-4745.html
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