The burrowing behavior of Ctenomys mendocinus (Rodentia)

CAMÍN S; MADOERY L; ROIG V

MAMMALIA

WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Lugar: Paris; Año: 1995 p. 9 - 17

0025-1461

The burrowing behavior of Ctenomys mendocinus (Rodentia) By S. CAMIN, L. MADOERY and V. ROIG Summary.- This paper describes the burrowing behavior of C. mendocinus in captivity. A terrarium was utilized, where each animal was subject to a 23-minute trial. The digging sequence showed by the animals was characterized by ?scratching-kicking-scratching? and pushing the removed soil backwards. Incisors were used only occasionally. All animals kept their eyes closed while digging. From the data contributed by comparative anatomy it was inferred that Ctenomyidae dig with both their incisors and claws, but by experience, Ctenomys mendocinus is a claw-digger which only occasionally uses the incisors. The frequent exits from the tunnel and the time that each animal stayed outside the burrow, in addition to certain behaviors and anatomical traits, suggest the adaptation of tuco-tucos to both underground and aboveground life.