Habits of the Swamp Rice Rat, Oryzomys Palustris Palustris (Harlan)

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Abstract
Field observations at Chincoteague Island, off the Virginia coast, and in the laboratory are recorded. Principal food plants listed are Spartina, Salicornia europea, Tripsacum, and Elymus; among animals, fiddler crabs and the snail, Melampus lineatus, were utilized. Nests, size of a grapefruit, are placed at the bases of bushes and small trees just above tide level. A description of young from birth to weaning is provided. Dorsal pubesence and well marked vibrissae are present at birth. The average birth weight is 3.7 gms. Incisors erupt on the fifth day, the eyes open and the young are very active at eight days. Solid food is eaten on the tenth day. Weaning is from the eleventh to the thirteenth day. The young gain 1-1.5 gms. daily until 3 weeks old, are half grown at two months (40 gms.).

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