Impact of artificial light at night on the foraging behaviour of the European Hamster: consequences for the introduction of this species in suburban areas

Abstract

Among the pressures introduced by urbanization, artificial light at night (ALAN) can be problematic, particularly for nocturnal species. Populations of European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) have dramatically decreased in France since 1972 because of habitat loss due to urbanisation and changes in agricultural methods. The conservation project Life Alister aims to increase the abundance of this species in suburban areas via hamster release. However, the success of this population-restoration project may be compromised due to the possible effects of ALAN on the daily and seasonal cycles and behaviour of this nocturnal species. To understand how hamsters may respond to relocation, we experimentally studied the impact of ALAN on hamster foraging, a decisive behaviour for survival in natural habitats. This study assessed the behavioural responses of 18 animals when choosing between two food sources of different palatability in two different lighting conditions: artificial light (4 or 40 lux) or darkness. Our results show that hamsters avoided lighting that mimics suburban streetlights, particularly when grooming. Moreover, this study reveals that hamsters do not avoid street-lit areas when highly palatable food is present, suggesting they would be more susceptible to predation under these circumstances. Our results suggest that the adverse effects of ALAN on the behaviour of hamsters released on the outskirts of developed suburban areas could be limited by restricting the number of street lights, moderating the intensity of street lighting, or switching lights off during the hours hamsters are most active. We further recommend that wildlife managers avoid planting plants that are highly palatable to hamsters close to lighting in suburban areas to limit the risk of predation for this species.

Artificial light affects the foraging behavior in greater white‐toothed shrews (CROCIDURA RUSSULA)

“…A possible explanation might be related to their comparatively high metabolic rate (Taylor, 1998) and their rather fast pace‐of‐life (von Merten et al, 2020) which induces them to acquire highly nutritious food resources, accepting a possibly increased risk of predation (Beier, 2006; Clarke, 1983; Kotler, 1984). Similar results were also found in a rodent and an insectivorous species with moderate metabolic rates, the European hamster ( Cricetus cricetus ), and the European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) (Berger et al, 2020; Dupont et al, 2019; Finch et al, 2020). Under experimental conditions, European hamsters avoided patches with artificial light, unless high‐nutritious food was present (Dupont et al, 2019).…”

“…Similar results were also found in a rodent and an insectivorous species with moderate metabolic rates, the European hamster ( Cricetus cricetus ), and the European Hedgehog ( Erinaceus europaeus ) (Berger et al, 2020; Dupont et al, 2019; Finch et al, 2020). Under experimental conditions, European hamsters avoided patches with artificial light, unless high‐nutritious food was present (Dupont et al, 2019). In situ observations of urban hedgehogs revealed a general avoidance of illuminated areas, but not when they were foraging at artificial feeding stations (Berger et al, 2020; Finch et al, 2020).…”

“…Similar results were also found in a rodent and an insectivorous species with moderate metabolic rates, the European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), and the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) (Berger et al, 2020;Dupont et al, 2019;Finch et al, 2020).…”

“…Under experimental conditions, European hamsters avoided patches with artificial light, unless high-nutritious food was present (Dupont et al, 2019). In situ observations of urban hedgehogs revealed a general avoidance of illuminated areas, but not when they were foraging at artificial feeding stations (Berger et al, 2020;Finch et al, 2020).…”

“…Reported behavioral responses of small mammals to light include reduced activity (e.g. Eilam, 2004;Elangovan & Marimuthu, 2001;Farnworth et al, 2019;Gaston et al, 2013;Julien-Laferrière, 1997;Persons & Eason, 2017;Topping et al, 1999;Zhang et al, 2020), changes in space use (Robert et al, 2015;Zollner & Lima, 1999), seasonal reproduction cycles (Robert et al, 2015), altered interspecific interactions (Hoffmann et al, 2019) and changes to foraging behaviors (Bird et al, 2004;Dupont et al, 2019;Farnworth et al, 2019;Hoffmann et al, 2022;Kotler, 1984;Rotics et al, 2011;Shier et al, 2020;Vásquez, 1994).…”