Habitat, nutrition and reproduction study of Ellobius lutescens Thomas, 1897, (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in zanjan Province

In this study, five research stations (Zanjan, Soltanieh, Khorramdareh, Tarom and Ijrood) were selected according to the geographical situation in Zanjan province. Habitat studies on this rodent species has revealed that it can live in a variety of regions and different soils, except for the sandy areas. For instance, Talpa and Spalax species live in burrows and tunnels they themselves make in the ground, in order to make galleries, these rodents pile up the earth they dug from under the ground, on the surface. In a surface measuring 5.5m ×3.6m about 22-25 piles of earth were observed and counted. The piles diameter was measured 24-50 cm in the base and 8-21 cm on top. Thedistance among the piles was 4-70 cm and the average height was measured at 28.5 cm. The Ellobius lutescens nutrition and reproduction were investigated in terms of biological studies. This rodent feeds on plant roots, in the form bulbs, rhizomes and nods while dinging burrows in the ground. In laboratory conditions it eats carrots, onions and potatoes with good appetite. It stores food and uses it during fall and winter. Experiments in laboratory as well as nature have revealed that the animal is active all the year round and does not hibernate. It resorts to valley –side in fall and winter and heights up to 2500 m in altitude in spring and summer. It reproduces twice a year, giving birth to 3-5 young.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ellobius lutescens ، Habitat ، Reproduction ، Zanjan province