Simultaneous Collection of Body Temperature and Activity Data in Burrowing Mammals: a New Technique

Abstract: Integrating physiological and behavioral observations into ecological field studies of animals can provide novel insights into relationships among animal behavior, physiology, and ecology. We describe and evaluate a new technique for simultaneously collecting body temperature (T_b) and burrow use data for semi-fossorial mammals by combining light-sensitive radiotransmitters and implanted temperature-sensitive dataloggers. We used this approach to collect core T_b and activity data for 9 free-ranging arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) in northern Alaska, USA, at approximately 5-minute intervals for 30–90 days each to address questions related to thermoregulation, energetics, foraging, sociality, and timing of activity in natural environments.