Nest box use by woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): the influence of life cycle and nest box placement

Published source details Madikiza Z.J.K., Bertolino S., Baxter R.M. & Do Linh San E. (2010) Nest box use by woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): the influence of life cycle and nest box placement. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 56, 735-743.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide artificial dens or nest boxes on trees Action Link

Provide artificial dens or nest boxes on trees

A study in 2003–2007 in a forest reserve in Eastern Cape, South Africa (Madikiza et al. 2010) found that nest boxes were used by woodland dormice Graphiurus murinus and Mozambique thicket rats Grammomys cometes. Out of 70 nest boxes, at least 49 (70%) were occupied by dormice and seven (10%) by thicket rats. Dormouse nest box occupation was lowest during winter (3% of boxes) and peaked in spring (8%) and summer (9% of boxes). Over one year, at least 66 dormice used between one and 16 next boxes (average 4). More adult females (17) than adult males (11) used nest boxes, but they were used by similar numbers of adults (30) and juveniles (36). Between March 2003 and January 2006, seventy wooden nest boxes (11.5 × 13 × 12 cm) were erected across a 2.5-ha area. Boxes had a 3-cm-diameter entrance hole facing the tree trunk. Boxes were installed 1.1–2.4 m above the ground, in trees with an average trunk diameter at nest box height of 90 cm. Boxes were monitored 57 times (average 4.4 times/month) between June 2006 and June 2007. Captured dormice were individually marked to determine recaptures.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)