The burrowing behavior of Ctenomys mendocinus (Rodentia)
- 1 January 1995
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Walter de Gruyter GmbH in Mammalia
- Vol. 59 (1) , 9-17
- https://doi.org/10.1515/mamm.1995.59.1.9
Abstract
This paper describes the burrowing behavior of C. mendocinus in captivity. A terrarium was utilized, where each animal was subject to a 23-minute trial. The digging sequence showed by the animals was characterized by ''scratching-kicking-scratching'' and pushing the removed soil backwards. Incisors were used only occasionally. All animals kept their eyes closed while digging. From the data contributed by comparative anatomy it was inferred that Ctenomyidae dig with both their incisors and claws, but by experience, Ctenomys mendocinus is a claw-digger which only occasionally uses its incisors. The frequent exits from the tunnel and the time that each animal stayed outside the burrow, in addition to certain behaviors and anatomical traits, suggest the adaptation of tuco-tucos to both underground and aboveground life.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Catalogue of algae types deposited in the National Cryptogamic Herbarium (BA) of the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, ArgentinaRevista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, 2011