Nest-Site Selection by the Mexican Red-Bellied Squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster) in MichoacáN, Mexico

Survey of the Patterns of Nest Box Use Among Squirrels (Sciuridae) in Managed Forest Stands in Clinton County, New York

“…The entry hole modification was made to prevent entry of non-target species (e.g., birds or other small mammals). Nest boxes were fastened to trees with the entry hole facing a southerly direction (Ramos-Lara and Cervantes, 2007). Nest boxes were filled, approximately 2 in, with sheep's wool bedding for use during the winter (Macomb and Noble, 1981).…”

“…However, for tree squirrels such as northern flying (Glaucomys sabrinus Shaw), red (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben), and gray (Sciurus carolinensis) squirrels, trees support their dreys (Trudeau et al, 2011) and are required for nesting cavities (Fokidis and Risch, 2005;Merrick et al, 2007;Lindenmayer et al, 2009). In scenarios where clearcutting has occurred, or there is a reduction in preferred nesting trees, tree squirrels and cavitydependent birds have declined in abundance (McComb and *Address correspondence to this author at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, 101 Broad Street, Plattsburg, New York, USA; Noble, 1981;Taulman et al, 1998;Ramos-Lara and Cervantes, 2007). Habitat management has often been employed to enhance thinned forests by adding nest boxes to accommodate displaced species.…”

“…Ramos-Lara and Cervantes (2007) found that sturdy nest boxes can buffer squirrels from wind, rain and cold temperatures. Most animals use some sort of shelter for protection against adverse weather conditions, predators, competitors, and diseases.…”

“…Further research is needed to help determine the influence of predation. Because predation is one of the main threats that animals face during their daily routines, and nest boxes have been found to both reduce predation (Ramos-Lara and Cervantes, 2007;Lindenmayer et al, 2009) or minimally affect predation risk (Brady et al, 2000;Merrick et al, 2007;Trudeau et al, 2011), it would be useful to undertake more research on this subject. The more permanent nature of nest boxes, relative to dreys, may place their occupants at a greater risk of predation from mammalian predators (Shuttleworth, 1999) because predators target predictable sources of prey.…”

Nest-site characteristics of the montane endemic Mearns's squirrel (Tamiasciurus mearnsi): an obligate cavity-nester?

“…Quality of nest sites also has been associated with fitness correlates such as probability of predation and nesting success (Li and Martin 1991). As a result, information on nest-site characteristics may allow researchers to assess habitat suitability and management (Ramos-Lara and Cervantes 2007).…”