Lab #1 LifeScience 1 Ground Squirrels
LS 1 LAB DEMO 1
13 January 2014
Introduction: The broader context of this lab was aimed at observing animals and documenting specific animal behavior patterns. Specifically, we were trying to determine if squirrels applied snakeskin randomly to certain areas of their body or if there was a specific technique to it in relation to escaping their predators. After an animal has determined that a predator is nearby, it must then take action to avoid encountering this threat. Encounters are most easily avoided by preventing predators from detecting prey in the first instance (Rosier & Langklide, 2011), for squirrels this type of behavior is known as SSA, “snake scent application”. In this lab we wanted to study two different species of squirrels, S. beecheyi and S. variegatus, in order to evaluate if SSA can be deemed as a species specific type of behavior. My hypothesis was that squirrels applied the snake skin scent to specific parts of their body in an organized manner. The null hypothesis is that squirrels apply the snake skin scent randomly to parts of their body. My prediction of my hypothesis was that squirrels apply the snake skin scent to body parts that they find prove to be advantageous when trying to escape their predators.
Methods: We watched videos of both species S. beecheyi and S. variegatus applying the SSA to their bodies. We were allowed to choose four videos from each species. Each video showed a squirrel applying the snake skin to their body within their own natural habitat. Some videos had more squirrels while others showed just one individual squirrel. In this lab we were given a table where we had to record how many times SSA was applied to a specific part (flank, head, front leg, hind leg, tail) of the squirrel’s body. My partner and I chose to assign one person to tally the frequencies to each part of the body while the other watched the video and observed the application. I chose to do the observing, while my partner recorded. Every time a
13 January 2014
Introduction: The broader context of this lab was aimed at observing animals and documenting specific animal behavior patterns. Specifically, we were trying to determine if squirrels applied snakeskin randomly to certain areas of their body or if there was a specific technique to it in relation to escaping their predators. After an animal has determined that a predator is nearby, it must then take action to avoid encountering this threat. Encounters are most easily avoided by preventing predators from detecting prey in the first instance (Rosier & Langklide, 2011), for squirrels this type of behavior is known as SSA, “snake scent application”. In this lab we wanted to study two different species of squirrels, S. beecheyi and S. variegatus, in order to evaluate if SSA can be deemed as a species specific type of behavior. My hypothesis was that squirrels applied the snake skin scent to specific parts of their body in an organized manner. The null hypothesis is that squirrels apply the snake skin scent randomly to parts of their body. My prediction of my hypothesis was that squirrels apply the snake skin scent to body parts that they find prove to be advantageous when trying to escape their predators.
Methods: We watched videos of both species S. beecheyi and S. variegatus applying the SSA to their bodies. We were allowed to choose four videos from each species. Each video showed a squirrel applying the snake skin to their body within their own natural habitat. Some videos had more squirrels while others showed just one individual squirrel. In this lab we were given a table where we had to record how many times SSA was applied to a specific part (flank, head, front leg, hind leg, tail) of the squirrel’s body. My partner and I chose to assign one person to tally the frequencies to each part of the body while the other watched the video and observed the application. I chose to do the observing, while my partner recorded. Every time a
Cited: 1. Gourdazi, Sara. "Squirrels Use "Snake Perfume" to Fool Predators." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 21 Dec. 2007. Web. 10 Jan. 2014. 2. Rosier, R. L. & Langkilde, T. (2011) Behavior Under Risk: How Animals Avoid Becoming Dinner. Nature Education Knowledge 2(11):8