The Activity of a Pair of Common Dormice Muscardinus avellanarius in Conditions of Captivity

Walhovd, Helge

doi:10.2307/3543859

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The chronology of these events was continuously registered by means of a Miniscript Z recorder (BBC Goerz, Vienna). The motor activity was summed up as described previously (Walhovd, 1971). Measurements of ambient temperature and nest temperature were initiated in November and December respectively (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Partial arousals from hibernation in hedgehogs in outdoor hibernacula

Walhovd

1979

Oecologia

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Thermal properties of hibernacula and sequences of arousals have been studied in four adult hedgehogs for seven months starting in October. Departures and entries to the nesting chamber were continuously monitored together with ambient temperature and the temperature in the hibernacula.During the two first months of the experimental period nest departures were intermittently recorded, predominantly in the two females which also occasionally foraged. The longest periods spent continuously in the hibernaculum ranged from 129 to 178 days. The natural hibernation season for Danish hedgehogs was found to comprise the six months from October onwards when there is little shelter where hedgehogs normally roam.Ambient temperatures recorded were -11 to +13° C being subzero for half the total time measured. The nest temperatures generally were higher, and above 0° C during 78-99% of total time, most commonly ranging from 0° to 4° C and thus reflecting deep hibernation.Between December and May spontaneous increases in nest temperatures amounting to 7-26° C (average 18° C) and bringing these temperatures to 10-29.5° C were recorded in 58 cases. Fiftyfour arousals did not involve departure from the hibernaculum (partial arousals). In the remaining cases (full arousals) the preceding rewarming lasted 4 1/2-6 1/2 h and nest departures amounted to 10,2 and 5 min in one female hedgehog and 90 min in another.The hedgehogs showed 12-18 arousals, the mean duration of which was 34-44 h. The high energy expenditure associated with arousals however, was found to last on average 21 h during each arousal. It is hypothesized that the body temperature during arousals chiefly was below 35-37° C.The time between arousals was 3-15 days. Periods in hibernation averaged 7-8 days in the females and 9-10 days in the heavier males, being generally longest in January-February. Neither arousals nor re-entries into deep hibernation occurred at any particular time of the day. It is suggested that for undisturbed hedgehogs arousals are induced and controlled by endogenous factors. In conclusion it is stressed that future studies on hibernation should recognize the importance of individual variability in the response pattern and focus interest on the endogenous factors which govern this important process.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Partial arousals from hibernation in hedgehogs in outdoor hibernacula

Walhovd

1979

Oecologia

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“…Through torpor mammals maximise energy conservation during periods of cold stress or shortage of food and water (Perrin and Ridgard 1999). Many experimental studies of dormancy patterns in dormice (Gliridae) have been carried out in captivity, involving several species, e.g., common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) (Tomilin 1958;Walhovd 1974;Walhovd and Jensen 1976), edible dormouse (Glis glis) (Ko¨nig 1960;Wilz and Heldmaier 2000), garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) (Pajunen 1970(Pajunen , 1984, African woodland dormouse (Graphiurus murinus) (Webb and Skinner 1996), spectacled dormouse (Graphiurus ocularis) (Perrin and Ridgard 1999). Additionally Vogel (1997) presented a comparative study of hibernation in three dormouse species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily torpor in free-ranging common dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Lithuania

Juškaitis

2005

Mammalian Biology

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Torpid common dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) were found in nestboxes during all the activity period from early April until late October. Prevalence of torpor among dormice was highest in spring, decreased considerably in summer and increased again in October. The proportion of adult dormice that were torpid was inversely related to mean monthly air temperature, except in September, when dormice prepare for hibernation by accumulating fat reserves. In spring and summer, torpid dormice were found when ambient temperature was up to 14-15 1C and in the arousal phase of torpor -up to 19-20 1C. In autumn, dormice were active at much lower ambient temperatures compared to spring and summer, and only dormice that were fat enough and ready for hibernation were torpid. Torpor bouts usually lasted only until noon, but also in the afternoon during persistently low ambient temperatures in April and October. In April-July, torpor was more frequent among adult males than females (75% vs. 46%), and pregnant females were never found in deep torpor. Prevalence of torpor among young-of-the-year was lower compared to adult dormice at the same time. In October, the average weight of torpid young-of-the-year dormice was significantly higher compared to the weight of active dormice (22.3 vs. 17.5 g).

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Some aspects of the metabolism of hibernating and recently aroused common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. (Rodentia, Gliridae)

Walhovd

Jensen

1976

Oecologia

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A dormouse found in hibernation in its winter nest on January 26 was studied continously from February 5 until May 11 by recording ambient temperature, temperatures inside the nest ball and 5 cm from it, and by recording any possible motor activity. The first emergence from hibernaculum occurred on April 3 after which the animal was active each day with the exception of April 11, 13 and 14. Activity mainly occurred during evening and night hours and lasted on average 4 hrs (2-8 hrs) per day. Outside periods of activity the winter nest was consistently used as a place of shelter and for sleep.The ambient temperature ranged from-0.5° to 21.0°C being chiefly 1°C less the nestbox temperature. The difference between the nest-box and nest temperature was also about 1°C when the animal was inactive, thus clearly indicating torpidity. Steep increases in nest temperature, amounting to 14-18°C and raising nest temperature up to 30°C, were recorded on four occasions. This is interpreted as shallow torpor, since no activity occurred on these days.The spontaneous warming up from deep hypothermia to shallow torpor lasted on average 40 min (30-70 min), while the duration of passive cooling when returning to the hypothermic condition amounted to 5 hrs. In the weeks following continuous hibernation the dormouse alternated between activity, shallow torpor, and relatively deep torpor each day. The species should be considered as a true aestivator.

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The Activity of a Pair of Common Dormice Muscardinus avellanarius in Conditions of Captivity

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Partial arousals from hibernation in hedgehogs in outdoor hibernacula

Partial arousals from hibernation in hedgehogs in outdoor hibernacula

Daily torpor in free-ranging common dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Lithuania

Some aspects of the metabolism of hibernating and recently aroused common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. (Rodentia, Gliridae)

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