Document Type
Thesis - campus only access
Date of Award
Summer 1970
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
Advisor
Dr. Eugene Flaherty
Abstract
The Franklin ground squirrel is prevalent in low lying areas of silty soil overgrown with Bromus inermis which provides concealment and nest material for the squirrels. The burrows range from simple to complex but seldom vary in depth (17 inches) and diameter (3 ¼ inches). Emergence from hibernation in 1969 and 1970 was in early May and thereafter the daily activity occurred predominantly about 4 and 7 hours after sunrise and 5 hours prior to sunset. Weather conditions did not affect the daily life patterns of Spermophilus franklinii. Oxygen consumption for Spermophilus franklinii can be expressed as Y=1.73-0.014 X (Y=cc O2/g per hour, X=temp.) for metabolic responses to ambient temperature changes below 26.5 C. The thermoneutral zone (26.5 C) gave a value of 0.64 cc O2/g per hour. This value was quite close to that predicted by relating metabolism to body weight. Actual metabolized energy calculated from food consumption experiments was about double the estimated metabolized energy ascertained from oxygen consumption. The energy flow value for an estimated two animals per hectare per one day was 247.8 Kcal. This value would be nearly equivalent to the energy of maintenance as a negligible amount would be used for growth in such a brief period.
Recommended Citation
Haberman, Clark G., "Energetics and Habits of Spermophilus Franklinii (Sabine)" (1970). Master's Theses. 1285.
DOI: 10.58809/VNVV6338
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/1285
Rights
© 1970 Clark G. Haberman
Comments
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