PREDATION OF SALT MARSH HARVEST MICE IN THE SUISUN MARSH

Katherine R Smith; UC Davis; Ratsmith@ucdavis.edu; Carla, Angulo, Susan, Fresquez, Meredith, Smith, Sadie, Trombley, Monica, Zhang

Common predators of the salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) have never been identified. During thousands of hours in the Suisun Marsh, during a three year field study we made opportunistic observations of both nocturnal and diurnal predators. Through visual sightings, auditory observations, as well as observations of sign, including scat and tracks, we identified likely common predators of the salt marsh harvest mouse. We also observed confirmed predation events by a northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), a white tailed kite (Elanus leucurus) and a yellow bellied racer (Coluber constrictor).

Student Paper