Department of Entomology, All-India Coordinated Research Project on Rodent Control, J.N. Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur-482 004, Madhya Pradesh (India).
The burrowing behaviour of major rodent species, viz, Mus booduga, M. meltada and B. bengalensis was studied in the harvested rice fields. The burrow system of M. booduga was simple, simple and elongate in M. meltada, and complex in B. bengalensis. The burrow entrance of B. bengalensis showed a large heap of soil and large sized pebbles, while M. booduga had a smaller heap of soil with small sized pebbles. However, M. meltada did not exhibit the heap of soil but revealed medium sized pebbles. The average quantity of soil excavated by these three species, viz, M. booduga was 1.07 kg with 1.36 burrow openings, M. meltada 1.84 kg soil with 2.38 burrow openings, and B. bengalensis 47.01 kg soil with 4.93 burrow openings. The average burrow diameter and range determined for M. booduga was 3.8 cm (2.9–4.6), M. meltada 6.12 em (4.0–8.0), and B. bengalensis 9.57 cm (3.0–15.0), respectively. These rodent species plugged each burrow entrance after entering into it, thereby protecting against their enemies. The burrows were seen very often over the bunds, on the sides, and inside the fields.
