Animal Behaviours Related to Pine Seeds on the Forest Floor

Main attackers on pine seeds on the forest floor were investigated in Korea. Damage on pine cones begins in early stage of cone formation, especially by squirrel and Korean squirrel. The above animals left Kayak-like hulls of seed on rocks and fallen tree trunk. Field mice also left the same shape of Kayak-like hulls. But birds including doves and peasants left large shreds with longitudinal cracks or seed cup trace. Most of seeds on the leaf litters as well as under the fallen leaf were consumed by fold mice and birds. Especially fold mice found the seeds under fallen leaves and consumed all of them.