NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

HIBERNATION OF THE JUMPING MOUSE

In a survey of the native mammals of Acadia National Park made several years ago, Vernon Bailey was unable to find the Jumping Mouse and therefore suggested that the mouse in that region might begin its period of hibernation before August 19. In view of the findings of the past summer, it appears that this date is considerably earlier than the normal beginning of hibernation for the animal.

On August 22 of the past summer, three days after the date given by Bailey as the probable beginning of hibernation, a specimen of the Hudson Bay Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius) was trapped. Subsequently, during the month that followed, a number of other individuals were secured, the last one being taken on September 23. As trapping activities were discontinued at that time, it was impossible to determine how much longer hibernation of the species was delayed beyond that date. It seems probable, however, that the normal period of activity for this mouse in the region of Mt. Desert Island extends almost to the first of October.

Seton* found that throughout most of Canada the Jumping Mouse begins hibernation early in September, but in the vicinity of Toronto it is delayed until near the end of the month. After citing some records, he says, "We may consider it settled, then, that in southern Canada the Jumping-mouse goes into its winter quarters late in September when the nights become too cool for pleasant rambling." It is evident from this statement that the date of the beginning of hibernation of the Jumping Mouse in southern Canada coincides approximately with that indicated above for the beginning of hibernation in the vicinity of Mt. Desert Island.

- Dr. M. Lelyn Branin, Ranger-Naturalist
Asst. Professor of Biology
John Carroll University

Editor's Note: Dr. Branin left Acadia in late September to take up his teaching duties at John Carroll University. Trapping for the smaller mammals was resumed early in October and was continued throughout the month - altogether more than 160 specimens being taken. The fact that no Jumping Mice were trapped at that time may be significant and tends to support Dr. Branin's conclusion regarding the approximate date when the species goes into hibernation in this region.

Recently, through the courtesy of Dr. Manton Copeland, it has been my privilege to examine the fine collection of study skins of mammals at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine. Here I was interested to find six specimens of Zapus hudsonius which were taken in Maine at a later date in the season than the last specimen which Dr. Branin trapped. Five of the six came from Manchester, Maine, 80 miles due west of Bar Harbor; these were taken as follows: Sept. 26, 1912 (Dr. Manton Copeland); Sept. 30, 1916 (E. C. and A. S. Pope); Oct. 3, 1912 (Dr. M. Copeland); Oct. 13, 1916, and Oct. 19, 1915 (both, E. C. and A. S. Pope). On Oct. 7, 1916; one was taken by P. H. Cobb at Brunswick, Maine, 90 miles southwest of Bar Harbor.

-A. S.