scatterhoarding

Scatterhoarding is a food-hoarding strategy in which an animal caches many small amounts of food at numerous locations within its home range, rather than storing all of it in a single central cache. This dispersed caching helps reduce the risk that a single thief or a localized disaster will erase an individual’s entire food supply. The behavior is common among small mammals such as squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and voles, and is also observed in some birds, including certain passerines.

In contrast to larder-hoarding, where food is stored in one or a few fortified locations, scatterhoarding distributes caches across a landscape. The strategy relies on spatial memory and learning, as animals must remember cache locations and assess which sites are most valuable or risky. Cache theft by other individuals (pilferage) is a frequent challenge, and many scatterhoarders employ strategies to mitigate it, such as spreading caches widely, varying caching times, or selecting concealment-worthy sites. Cache protection can also involve guarding or relocating caches when competitors are nearby. The cognitive demands of scatterhoarding have made it a key topic in studies of memory, navigation, and decision-making in animals.

Ecologically, scatterhoarding influences nutrient cycling and plant dynamics. Cached seeds and nuts that are not recovered may germinate, contributing to plant regeneration and seed dispersal. This behavior can affect forest composition and species distributions, particularly for nut-producing trees. The traits of cached items, such as seed size and protective coverings, interact with caching behavior to shape both animal foraging strategies and plant fitness.

Examples of well-known scatter-hoarders include several species of squirrels and chipmunks, with various other small mammals and some birds also displaying this behavior.