The use of cosmetic spangles (glitter) as an indigestible marker for group marking in rodents

The method of group marking in rodents using food bait with indigestible markers, i. e. cosmetic spangles (glitter) of different colors with a particle size of 0.2 mm, was tested. Plastic glitter is widely used in manicure and makeup and is easily accessible. In natural conditions, bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus, consumed well an oatmeal bait with the addition of unrefined sunflower oil containing glitter at a concentration of 1:100 by weight. In the wild, the marks were identified in the litter of bank voles up to a maximum of 66 hours after the bait had been laid. Glitter of 16 colors was tested, with 12 colors used in the wild. The identification of marks in the litter samples was carried out using a magnifying glass and a stereoscopic binocular microscope to more accurately determine the color. The technique was used to study the long-range exits of bank voles outside their home ranges (excursions) and their deviation from the shortest straight-line route during homing. To do this, bait feeders marked with glitter of different colors were placed with lines containing a marker of the same color, marking certain parts of the area. Catching the animal’s excretion of litter with a mark of a certain color meant that the animal had visited the appropriate territory. The method is cheap and easy to use, potentially allowing for up to 20 different marker colors to be used.