CHARACTERISTICS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CACHES OF EASTERN WOODRATS (NEOTOMA-FLORIDANA)

Caches from eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) dens were analyzed for plant-species composition, abundance, and energy content. Body mass a nd sex of den residents and the den volume were measured to determine correlations with energy content of caches. We found no difference bet ween males and females in den volume or energy content of caches. Howe ver, a positive correlation existed between body mass of the cache own er and the amount of energy stored in the cache, such that larger indi viduals had a disproportionately greater reserve of energy stored in c aches than did smaller individuals. The disparity suggests that small individuals are forced to forage outside the den more often than large individuals.