Distances moved by small woodland rodents within large trapping grids

Abstract

During a four-year study in New Brunswick, Canada, we documented long-distance movements (> 125 m) for three small-mammal species. Individuals from every species studied made long-distance movements, but relative to abundance, more Woodland Jumping Mice moved than any other species (9.4% of captures). Mean straight-line distances moved were: 370 m (Deer Mice, Peromyscus maniculatus; N = 44), 225 m (Woodland Jumping Mice, Napaeozapus insignis; N = 33), and 224 m (Red-backed Voles, Clethrionomys gapperi; N = 23). Frequency of movement decreased with distance for all species. The study demonstrated that long-distance movements were not uncommon, and as such, they may be an important component of the population dynamics of small mammals.