Territory size and ownership in red squirrels: response to removals

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Abstract
We monitored size and ownership of red squirrel territories in the southwestern Yukon during the summer following a year of abundant cone crop. Territory boundaries were determined by observing marked individuals. Six individuals and two groups (four individuals per group) were removed to test the hypothesis that the position of territory boundaries are determined by intruder pressure. Removed squirrels were replaced by juveniles or by breeding females which had given up their former territories to their offspring. Replacement occurred within hours of the removal and territory boundaries of the new squirrels were not significantly different from those of the original territory owners. Neighbouring territorial residents did not expand their territories to occupy all or part of the vacated area. The location of territory boundaries were not affected by intruder pressure.