SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR OF FIELD VOLES, MICROTUS-AGRESTIS, IN EXPERIMENTAL GROUPS

Social behavior of field voles in 6 experimental groups (2 females, 4 males in each group) keeping in enclosures of 120 m(2) area during 30, 100 (4 groups) and 180 days are described. Coexistence of these anima ls are shown to be possible only when they interact with each other re gularly from an early age. Social structure and specific features of i nteracting voles in groups at different stages of the reproductive cyc le are analyzed, Behavior of voles in groups when females are in a sta te of estrus is described in detail.