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The field study project on the red squirrel’s conifer cone totals in his midden and conifer cone totals within a 20 meter radius bring to light an understanding of foraging behaviors of this mammal In particular, the emphasis is on understanding whether a red squirrel in an urban environment locates a habitat similar to a wild squirrel’s habitat. Of note, are the ‘mast’ years when conifer trees produce more amounts of cones than normal years and what this relation has on the Scots pine that make up the majority of his urban habitat. The placement of the trees in relation to his cache or midden present unique space use patterns that may reflect similar patterns in a wild habitat. The diameter of the conifer trees, the species of tree and cone producing capabilities, pilfering of cones from other squirrels, predatory considerations and tree canopy cover are some of the other issues to be touched upon for urban red squirrel habitat.
Cache and Nest Characteristics of the Red Squirrel in an Ariᴢona Mixed conifer Forest (1986) by David R. Patton, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Keywords: Mammal ecology, ethology, sciuridae, rodentia, foraging, habitat, space use patterns, urbaniᴢation.
the thesis that you reference in Alaska study is an interesting one