Habitat use and home ranges of Podomys floridanus on the Ordway Preserve

Abstract

I examined habitat use and home range size of Podomys floridanus on the Ordway Preserve, where this species is most common in high pine communities with gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). These communities are subjected to prescribed burns in order to prevent invasion of woody species. Populations of Podomys appeared more stable on burned sites than on unbumed areas. Home ranges did not alter after prescribed burns and little or no fire-related mortality was indicated. Mean home ranges were 2601 m² for 35 females and 4042 m² for 40 males. Individuals who survived more than one year on the sandhill utilized the same set of burrows each season. Home ranges of adult females did not overlap, suggesting intra-sexual territoriality.