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The Impact of Weather Changes & Human Interaction on the Approach Distance of Campus Squirrels
Nick Arnold, Nick Hammer, Dustin Leimgruber
Abstract:
We intend to find if the distance at which squirrels let humans approach them changes under different conditions. The conditions we are examining are temporal location to winter and the density of humans in the squirrelsÕ environment. The two populations of squirrels we will examine are main campus and western squirrels. The research indicates that temperature change concurrent to winter increases the aggressiveness of squirrels, which leads us to hypothesis that squirrels will let us come closer as winter approaches. We intend to add to scholarship in squirrel studies on a local level. We will be taking an interdisciplinary approach by examining both human density in the environment and proximity to winter.
1. Introduction:
Everywhere around the Mid-Western part of the United States there are these animals known as squirrels running about living their lives of the wilderness. As we approach the winter months, weÕve noticed that these creatures seem to disappear in accordance with the cooler weather and the ever increasing task of preparing for the hibernation season.
Our purpose in investigating this observation is to study the habits of preparation of Oxford campus squirrels and how big of an impact the constant interaction with humans has had on more ÒpublicÓ squirrels. We want to know how big of a difference in such processes of a squirrel, if any, there has been between winter preparations in more secluded areas versus those in very populated areas.
So, resulting from preliminary observation and basic assumption, our project will take a closer look at how a college campus setting has had an influence on the willingness of squirrels to interact with the surrounding population.
We plan to address how human interaction has influenced the lives of surrounding organisms and animals. We find this intriguing because the human population is often unaware of their effect on surrounding animal populations and their behavior.
2. Predictions:
We predict that squirrels that live in an area more densely populated with humans will allow closer approach distances than squirrels that have less regular contact with humans in lower human population zones. We also predict that approach distances in both squirrel populations will decease as the winter approaches because the literature cited for this study indicated increasing aggression in squirrel behavior as winter nears (Merritt, 2001).
3. Relevance & Background Information:
A wide range of research focused on squirrel adaptation has been conducted including numerous habitats and species. An English study examines how habitat changes influenced red squirrel behavior. (Gurnell, 2002) The literature indicates multiple factors, including climate change and habitat change, that can influence squirrel behavior. (Johnston, 1997) addresses issues of squirrel health indicated by weight caused by climate changes. This research is relevant because of the anecdotal observations of reduction of squirrel size on campus. This climate change has become more visible because of the record breaking hurricane season we are currently experiencing and we believe this global climate change will influence squirrel behavior. One of the most basic factors in squirrel aggressiveness is breeding and familiar recognitions. Through living with a family community, a squirrel is perceived to feel more comfortable and less aggressive. (Mateo, 2003) A recent article in Science News discusses the implications of squirrel and chipmunk aggressiveness towards predatory animals, namely snakes. If ground squirrels and chipmunks can be aggressive towards snakes because of habitat change, this is an indication of their wide range of aggressiveness due to habitat and climate change. (S.M. 2005) Though these studies may seem a little out of the norm, I believe this could give an interesting perspective as to what makes a squirrel want to flee when another living thing gets within a certain range. A largely relevant study observed the aggression patterns between squirrels and songbirds in a suburban environment that closely mirrored the environment of a college campus (Bekoff, 1999). This study found as food became more scarse in the winter months squirrels became more aggressive towards the sing birds. The other study we find highly relevant examined the relationship between seasonal hormone levels in male squirrels and their aggression levels (Buck, 2003). This study indicated more aggression in squirrels as winter became closer. This study will enable us to hypothesize how half of the squirrel population will react when approached towards the later half of the semester. The factors we have observed in the research suggest that we will be able to walk closer to the squirrels later in the year because they will be more aggressive and fearless. This past research is especially relevant to our study because we will study the effects of approaching winter in a college environment.
4. Research Design
Our research team will be collecting twenty data points on a weekly basis. Ten data points will be collected from western campus which is more sparkly populated with humans, and ten from more densely populated main campus. Western campus data collection areas will include the swan pond and the outdoor theater. Main campus data collection areas include the area between Harris dining hall and the sundial. To collect a data point, a single person will approach a squirrel at a steady pace in silence. When a squirrel walks away slowly the pace will maintain steady but when the squirrel begins to flee at a great pace the distance between the person and the flight point will be measured. The date and distance will be recorded on a data log.
5. Materials & Methods
Materials include a data log to record distance and date of data collection. The measuring device is a tape measure with a screwdriver as an anchor. When the squirrel retreats, the tape measure will be planted in the ground with the screwdriver and the researcher will walk the tape measure to the spot at which the squirrel fled. This distance will then be written in the log book.
Sample Data Sheet: (from most recent data)
Date of Data Collected Distance (ft.) From Observer to Fleeing Point
Friday, Sept. 30th 10, 16, 7 31, 8.5
Friday, Oct. 7th 3, 8, 7, 27, 27, 25, 18
Friday Oct. 14th 8, 10, 3, 5, 5, 6, 9
6. Literature Cited
Journal Articles:
1) Tomanek, Lars. "SQUIRRELS REVEAL BITS OF HIBERNOME." Journal of Experimental Biology 208.1 (2005): iv.
Zoology perspective.
Analyses liver protein in ground squirrels approaching hibernation. Relevant because squirrel behavior may change in relation to distance from winter.
2) Gurnell, John. "Conserving red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris): mapping and forecasting habitat suitability using a Geographic Information Systems Approach." Biological Conservation 105.1 (2002): 53.
Zoology perspective. Study in red squirrel population density in relation to ground cover. Addresses issues of environment and how it affects squirrel population and behavior.
3) Marc Bekoff et al. ÒFeeding Decisions by StellerÕs Jays (Cyanocitta Stelleri): The Utility of a Logistic Regression Model for Analyses of Where, What, and with Whom to Eat.Ó Ethnology 105, 393-406 (1999). Copyright 1999. Blackwell Wissenschafts - Verlag, Berlin. ISSN 0179-1613
Zoology perspective. Study on interaction between ground squirrels and songbirds in birdfeeders. This study is relevant because the squirrels on campus are in the same environment as the study and scavenge for food in competition with local birds. Food availability affects their interactions with other animals and students on campus.
4) Johnston, Kevin M. "Wildlife and climate change: assessing the sensitivity species to simulated doubling of atmospheric CO2." Global Change Biology 3.6 (1997): 531.
Zoology perspective. This article addresses the effects of global warming on four species including squirrels. It determines the most detrimental effects will happen to the ground squirrel affecting its health and range. Given the smaller appearance of the squirrels on campus this year, this article will shed light on the effects of global climate change and squirrel behavior.
5) S.M. ÒWhen a Chipmunk Teases a RattlesnakeÓ. Science News. Vol. 168, Issue 9, p142, 1/6p. (27 Oct. 2005)
This article, in addition to being hysterically funny, is relevant to ground squirrel aggressiveness and adaptation to its environment. If ground squirrels are willing to approach snakes, then we can relate it to additional accounts of ground squirrels approaching college students.
6) NUNES. ÒFunctions and consequences of play behaviour in juvenile Belding's ground squirrels.Ó Animal Behavior 68.1 (2004): 27.
Zoology perspective. This article links rates of squirrel play to factors such as health and body fat. This will be useful to show social aspects of squirrels in relation to the energy sources available to them.
7) Loren Buck. Androgen in free-living arctic ground squirrels: seasonal changes and influence of staged male-male aggressive encounters. Hormones and Behavior 43.2 (2003): 318.
This article deals directly with ground squirrel aggressiveness in relation to hormone levels and seasonal effects. This is relevant for how aggressive squirrels will be in their fight or flight reactions to approaching humans.
8) Merritt, Joseph F. "SEASONAL THERMOGENESIS OF SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRRELS (GLAUCOMYS VOLANS)." Journal of Mammalogy 82.1 (2001): 51.
This article addresses social behavior in squirrels as temperatures decrease. This is relevant because of the current changing seasons but it is also relevant to global climate change and uncommon behavior in squirrels because of temperature differentials.
9) Berteaux, Dominique. "Breeding dispersal in female North American red squirrels." Ecology 81.5 (2000): 1311.
The article addresses immobile female squirrels as a reproduction strategy that affects males breeding groupings and territorial-ness. This is linked to squirrel aggression and territoriality.
10) Waterman, Jane M. "Why do male Cape ground squirrels live in groups?." Animal Behavior 53.4 (1997): 809.
Issues of large groups of male squirrels living in groups are addressed for their relationship to aggressiveness. This is effected by detection of female squirrels in estrus and resource richness in the environment.
11) Jobbins, David. "How many 'squirrels' would you be given?." Times Higher Education Supplement no. 1641 (2004): 13.
Research and commentary on a website that tracks the squirrel populations and aggressiveness across college campuses. This is extremely relevant.
12) Mateo, Jill M. "KIN RECOGNITION IN GROUND SQUIRRELS AND OTHER RODENTS." Journal of Mammalogy 84.4 (2003): 1163.
This article addresses kin recognition and how it affects breeding and aggression in ground squirrels.
Websites:
A) Gottshall, Jon & Emily. ÒThe Campus Squirrel ListingsÓ. JonÕs World OÕ Squirrels. Date Viewed: Wednesday, October 19, 2005. URL: http://www.gottshall.com/squirrels/
This site gives an extensive run-down of campus ratings in terms of squirrel appeal.
B) Paradise, Chris. Foraging Ecology of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Date Viewed: Wednesday, October 19, 2005. URL: http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/bio112/Bio112LabMan/squirrel.html
This site gives a short explanation and technical background of some of the broader topics we plan to touch on in our experiments.
C) Shulman, Annie et al. Foraging Behavior of Squirrels
As a Function of Season Progression. Date Viewed: Wednesday, October 19, 2005. URL: http://www.sewanee.edu/biology/journal/vol2/squirrels/squirrelbehavior.html
The information on this site reinforces hypothesis credentials we set at the beginning of our research discussing trends of squirrel behavior changing as winter approaches.
D) Yip, Martin et al. The Effect of Approaching Humans on Squirrel Behavior. Date Viewed: Wednesday, October 19, 2005. URL: http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/nsfall04/ProposalArticles/TheEffectofApproachingHum.html
Studies from last yearÕs lab group acts as a close example to take rudiments off of and improve upon as it is almost identical to our area of study.
E) Dean, Laura et al. The Impact of Humans on the Domestication of Squirrels. Date Viewed: Wednesday, October 19, 2005. URL: http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/nsfall99/FinalArticles/TheImpactofHumansontheDom.html
Again, another previous lab group with very closely related topics of study to our proposed ideas.
"In Wildness is the Preservation of the World"
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
For Further Info on this Topic, Check out this WWW Site: http://www.gottshall.com/squirrels/ .
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