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Why study small mammals?

Why study small mammals? The fact that they are our own nearest living relatives is a valid reason for studying the higher primates and there are also obvious reasons for studying the larger mammals such as the lion, tiger, wolf as well as the antelope, zebras, deer that constitute their prey. Apart from their spectacular and exciting characteristics, mammals are economically important, sometimes in terms of food production and sometimes in terms of the tourist trade. But why should anyone care about small mammals? There are two sorts of answer. Firstly, in dealing with the theoretical aspects of animal behaviour, the size of the species studied is not very relevant. General principles may be deduced from the study of small just as well as of large animals and the former are often preferable simply because the resources required in terms of food and housing space are so much less. This makes them particularly suitable for analytical experimental studies, requiring carefully controlled conditions and numerous replications. There is, however, a quite different type of study that can be made with a small mammal. Because it is so much easier to keep, you can live on intimate terms with it. You can be its http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Zoo Yearbook Wiley

Why study small mammals?

EWER, R. F.
International Zoo Yearbook , Volume 15 (1) – Jan 1, 1975
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References (3)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 1975 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
ISSN
0074-9664
eISSN
1748-1090
DOI
10.1111/j.1748-1090.1975.tb01343.x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The fact that they are our own nearest living relatives is a valid reason for studying the higher primates and there are also obvious reasons for studying the larger mammals such as the lion, tiger, wolf as well as the antelope, zebras, deer that constitute their prey. Apart from their spectacular and exciting characteristics, mammals are economically important, sometimes in terms of food production and sometimes in terms of the tourist trade. But why should anyone care about small mammals? There are two sorts of answer. Firstly, in dealing with the theoretical aspects of animal behaviour, the size of the species studied is not very relevant. General principles may be deduced from the study of small just as well as of large animals and the former are often preferable simply because the resources required in terms of food and housing space are so much less. This makes them particularly suitable for analytical experimental studies, requiring carefully controlled conditions and numerous replications. There is, however, a quite different type of study that can be made with a small mammal. Because it is so much easier to keep, you can live on intimate terms with it. You can be its

Journal

International Zoo Yearbook – Wiley

Published: Jan 1, 1975

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