Homing in the forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula, Rodentia, Gliridae)

What is it about?

Homing was studied in the Forest dormouse, Dryomys nitedula. The distance of the experimental travels of trapped and labeled dormice varied between the minimum (50 m) to the maximum (10 km). 57 experimental releases were carried out. Based on the distribution of 11 animal returns, a low probability of return was revealed to be maintained from a distance of up to 5 km. The expected return probability was calculated using Furrer’s formula. The time of absence from a place of capture was up to 4 days when transferred to a distance of up to 100 m, from 4 to 7 days when the distance was up to 1000 m, and it began to grow exponentially after a transfer to a distance of more than 1 km.

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Photo by Rots Marie-Hélène on Unsplash

Photo by Rots Marie-Hélène on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The return time increases nonlinearly with an increasing transfer distance. This suggests that the displaced animals discover their home area as a result of random walks.

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