Seasonal Habitat Distribution Of Swamp Rabbits, White-Tailed Deer, and Small Mammals in Old Growth and Managed Bottomland Hardwood Forests

Abstract

We studied swamp rabbits, white-tailed deer, and small mammals in an old-growth and adjacent second-growth and young-growth bottomland hardwood forest stands in southern Arkansas, August 1991 – February 1993. Based on average home range size and degree of overlap, minimum and maximum density estimates of swamp rabbits were 31 per km² (no overlap)and 52 per km² (overlap), respectively. Pellet group estimates of white-tailed deer suggested that density varied from virtually zero in spring to 22 per km² during autumn. With 29,436 trap nights of total effort during winter, spring,and summer seasons, we captured 939 small mammals that were distributed among 14 species. There were more individuals (n =445) of more species (S =11) in old-growth forest than other habitats; more new animals were captured during spring (n =378). Peromyscus gossypinus was clearly the most abundant species in all habitats during all seasons; but it was always more abundant in old growth than other habitats. Ochrotomys nuttalli was the only species that was notably more abundant in habitat other than old growth.

Parent Publication

• Bottomland Hardwoods of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley: Characteristics and Management of Natural Function, Structure, and Composition

Citation

Smith, Winston P.; Zollner, Patrick A. 2001. Seasonal Habitat Distribution Of Swamp Rabbits, White-Tailed Deer, and Small Mammals in Old Growth and Managed Bottomland Hardwood Forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS 42. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 83-98