Abstract
Components of activity and sleep were observed for 12 wild trapped Tamias striatus and 12 wild trapped Eutamias dorsalis under laboratory conditions. The animals were housed individually in clear plastic cages and observed continuously for 24 h. The behavior of each animal was recorded at 1-min intervals and classified into one of six mutually exclusive categories: locomotor-explore, groom, eat, drink, quiet inactive, or sleep. Both species were found to be predominantly day active. Significant species differences were found in the proportions of time spent grooming and quietly inactive, while significant sex differences were found in time spent eating. Species differences were also found in the circadian placement of all categories except quiet inactivity. The chipmunks were similar in the components of their activity to laboratory rats and similar in their sleep to other mammals that sleep in safe sleep spots.
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This study was supported by a grant from the University of Georgia Office of the Vice President for Research. We wish to thank J. R. Callahan for providing the Eutamias and T. Puente, R. B. Fischer, and B. N. Bunnell for assistance with various aspects of the study.
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Estep, D.Q., Canney, E.L., Cochran, C.G. et al. Components of activity and sleep in two species of chipmunks: Tamias striatus and Eutamias dorsalis . Bull. Psychon. Soc. 12, 341–343 (1978). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329701
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329701