Why do North American Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Mothers Relocate Their Young? A Predation-based Hypothesis
Keywords:North American Red Squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Short-Tailed Weasel, Mustela erminea, nest predation, juvenile survival, juvenile relocation, arboreal foraging, nest defence
AbstractOur study reports the first observations consistent with Short-Tailed Weasel predation on juvenile North American Red Squirrels in the nest. Red Squirrel mothers are known to relocate their young to another nest after a disturbance. We suggest that this behaviour might be an efficient strategy that reduces the impact of litter depredation by weasels.
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