Ambito de acción, uso del hábitat y actividad diaria de la taltuza Orthogeomys heterodus (Rodentia: Geomydae) en una zona hortícola de Costa Rica / Home range, use of habitat and daily activity of the gopher Orthogeomys heterodus (Rodentia: Geomyidae) in a Costa Rican horticultural area

ABSTRACT

Home range, daily activity and habitat use of four Giant Pocket Gophers Orthogeomys heterodus were determined by radiotelemetry. The study was carried out in a horticultural area of Cartago province, Costa Rica, during December 1989 and January 1990. Home range averaged 325 m2 for males and 233 m2 for females. There was a significant relationship between home range size and individual body mass. In average, 78 per cent of localizations were in the nest or refuge located in all cases in the border of crops. Activity was greatest from 0600 to 0800 h and 1200 to 1400 h, and was reduced at night