Title :
A data logging system using optical sensing techniques to determine foraging strategies of cottontail rabbits
Author :
Smith, Douglas F. ; Smith, Wayne J. ; LaCourse, John R. ; Litvaitis, John A.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Natural Resources, New Hampshire Univ., Durham, NH, USA
Abstract :
Adaptive foraging decisions yield information on how animals view their environment. These decisions allow researchers to know how foragers rank habitats. We used a data logging system using infrared break-beam circuitry to evaluate these decisions. The data from this system revealed differences in behaviors between two species of cottontail rabbits in outdoor enclosures where obtaining food incurs predation costs (probability of mortality)
Keywords :
behavioural sciences; biological techniques; decision theory; ecology; infrared detectors; adaptive foraging decisions; animals; cottontail rabbits; data logging system; environment; foraging strategies; habitats; infrared break-beam circuitry; mortality probability; optical sensing techniques; outdoor enclosures; predation costs; Animals; Circuits; Costs; Event detection; Optical sensors; Phototransistors; Protection; Rabbits; Remote monitoring; Safety;
Conference_Titel :
Bioengineering Conference, 1997., Proceedings of the IEEE 1997 23rd Northeast
Conference_Location :
Durham, NH
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3848-0
DOI :
10.1109/NEBC.1997.594947
