The Use of Torpor by Perognathus amplus in Relation to Resource Distribution

Abstract

Small (11 g) pocket mice (Perognathus amplus) were tested in a laboratory study for their use of torpor in relation to the distribution of food resources (seeds). Generally, the rodents spent more time in torpor the deeper the seeds were buried, but there was essentially no relationship between the dispersion of the seeds and the time spent in torpor. Regardless of the depth or spatial distribution of seeds, the pocket mice maintained similar weight loss patterns, indicating that they can adjust the amount of time spent in torpor to the environmental conditions under which they find themselves.