HAYSMITH: NEOTOMA F. FLORIDANA IN NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA


 Dens


 Large stick piles that are typical ofNeotomafloridana den structures in other
geographical areas were rare in this study. Most dens were subterranean, which
agrees with findings by Pearson (1952) in Florida. Among other factors, these
could be related to plant substrate types available in the habitat or soil types. Dens
were also associated with several plant species. High variability in plant species at
dens may be indicative of the importance of numerous plant resources, or plant
structure for making dens, rather than specific species composition in den site
selection.
 Cover and complex vegetation structure at several of the dens were also high.
 Radiotelemetry in this study documented highly variable home ranges, but 54%
 were less than 0.5 ha. Rainey (1956) suggested woodrat home ranges were
 frequently in close proximity to the den. This vegetation complexity at dens would
 be advantageous to small ranging animals for protection and food resource
 availability. The most significant characteristic of den site location was that 69%
 of all dens were located on an ecotone. Access to diverse resources may therefore
 be an important influencing factor in den site selection.
 Several woodrats changed den sites, which may be attributed to preferred
structural features at specific dens (i.e. stem density and cover), geographical
location, or avoidance of parasites. Woodrat dens may be a limiting factor in the
community. Many times woodrats relocated into a den after the previous occupant
disappeared, and some dens were subsequently used by several different tenants,
indicating there may be "preferred den sites." Dial (1988) reported "preferred den
sites" also, indicating that dens may be in limited supply. Other studies have
documented that mammals will evacuate dens when parasite loads become too
high. Bot fly larvae infestation in woodrats was relatively high, and bot flies are
known to lay their eggs at rodent dens. Therefore, this could account for some of
the den infidelity observed. However, "preferred dens" may simply be more
"functional" as houses than others. The use of one or more dens also influences
home range size, particularly if dens are not in close proximity.


 Habitat Utilization


 Utilization of micro-habitats by woodrats was proportional to the habitats
 available. As expected, they utilized all of the micro-habitat types available except
 bare ground. A preference was exhibited towards saw-palmetto in the mesic
 hammock-saw-palmetto habitat, and swamp for the animals inhabiting the edge of
 Mill Creek Swamp, which may be related to vegetation cover requirements.