First Day of research!
The first day of our trip was spent being briefed on the methods we will be using to track down the mammals of Nova Scotia. The two main methods that will be used are the use of traps and to count droppings (ewww!). The types of mammals we expect to find are mice, flying and ground squirrels, shrews, voles, porcupines and chipmunks to name a few. A picture to the left shows one that I saw as I took a trip along the coast by where our "home base" is.
Journal #1: (You can post on here or keep a journal of the questions you will be answering for the next couple of weeks)
Looking at the picture to the left gives you an idea of the mammals we will see in Nova Scotia. Why are these mammals that we will be catching all small? Tie into concepts we learned in class such as evolution, the second law of thermodynamics and the biomass pyramid. You might want to check out some info on the usual weather of Nova Scotia, especially in the winter and early spring (Hint...it's snowing here right now!)
I'll post info tonight or tomorrow on our first day setting up traps and looking for evidence of mammal life in the area. Have a good day!
posted by Ben Wolfe @ 8:16 AM
6 Comments:
this is ashlee c
what kind of anamial is that in the picture
Hey Ashlee...that's a North American Gray Squirrel! They actually have outcompeted the red squirrel that used to live around here. Now the Gray Squirrel is the only one here.
i feel bad for the animals that youre going to catch. make sure to only trap the ugly ones... no one cares about them.
-schwemer
Hey Mr. Wolfe how did the Gray squirrels outcompet the Red squirrels
hey mr wolfe its deshona how did the animals effect the area where you were
Good question....they are 3 main reasons why the gray squirrel can outcompete the red squirrel:
First, the gray squirrel carries a disease that they are immune to while the red squirrel is not immune to it.
Second, the gray squirrel can digest nuts easier than the red squirrel, allowing it to eat faster and more of them. Lastly, under pressure the Red Squirrel will not breed, limiting their numbers when conditions change.
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