Laboratory evaluation of poison-base for the control ofFunambulus pennanti

Abstract

Funambulus pennanti, the northern palm squirrel preferred wheat in its different forms out of ten cereals and oil seeds offered. It is revealed that the squirrels are selective feeders since out of eleven forms, i.e., whole, cracked, roasted and flour, wheat was found to be most palatable in seven trials followed by bajra (three trials) and jowar once. The addition of vegetable oils, salt and sugar does not enhance the bait acceptance. However, they preferred sugar in comparison to salt, and arachis and sesame oils. Wheat in its whole form is, therefore, recommended for use as a poison base for the control of F. pennanti. In the absence of wheat, cracked bajra can also be used, which is the next preferred bait. The calorific requirement of F. pennanti ranges from 16-18 to 34-98 k cal/100 g body weight/ day when the bait is provided in single food choice.

Bait additives as a means of improving acceptance by rodents1

“…(ground squirrels) and Thomomys bottae (pocket gophers) seem little influenced by added sugar. Soni et al (1980) found that neither sugar nor vegetable oils enhanced bait consumption in Funambulus pennanti (northern palm squirrel) in India. However, both sugar and vegetable oil were found to enhance bait consumption in Rattus meltada (soft-furred field rat) in India (Chopra et al, 1984) and Arvicanthis niloticus (Nile rat) in Egypt (Suliman et al, 1984).…”