DURATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUORESCENT PIGMENT WHEN TRACKING SMALL MAMMALS

Tracking of animals mark with fluorescent pigment has been used primar ily in studies of habitat use and home range, without considering time as a factor. We determined the length of time that fluorescent pigmen t remains effective in marking trails of Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias str iatus) in Itasca State Park, Minnesota. Chipmunks were released and re captured at specific times during the same day. We found that fluoresc ent pigments were effective in marking trails of chipmunks for a mean an time of 6.61 hours with a maximum time of 7.75 hours. The amount of grooming the chipmunks performed was the most important factor influe ncing the duration the fluorescent pigment effectively leaves a trail.