A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR STUDYING THE ACTIVITY OF UNDERGROUND MAMMALS

What is it about?

A new technique for studying the activity of underground mammals using portable digital voice recorders is developed. Earlier, mole rats were recorded visually, based on emissions of ground above the soil surface. Applying tape recorders, it becomes possible to precisely define if the system of holes is inhabited or not. In addition, it becomes possible to determine the time of the day when the animals move through the system. This technique for studying the activity of the mammals with an underground lifestyle has been applied and approbated for the first time.

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Photo by ahmad kanbar on Unsplash

Photo by ahmad kanbar on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This method was successfully approbated for the mole rat in the Republic of Mordovia in 2015–2016. The advantages revealed include the following: (1) The possibility to obtain comprehensive data on the daily and seasonal activity of animals; (2) Minimal trouble for animals and disturbance of holes; (3) The possibility to perform investigations over a long period of time; (4) A great area of investigation; (5) A convenient working schedule for the investigator; (6) The possibility to specify habitable and abandoned holes without animal catching; (7) The minimal time period to reveal the presence of animals in the hole (it may be a day even in the periods of low activity of animals).

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