Trap height and capture success of arboreal small mammals: Evidence from southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans)
- Auburn Univ., AL (United States)
Studies of small mammals often use live traps, but the effect of different trapping heights on capture effectiveness of arboreal mammals has not been directly addressed. We compared the capture success of three trap heights ({open_quotes}low{close_quotes} = 2m, {open_quotes}medium{close_quotes} = 4.5-5m, and {open_quotes}high{close_quotes} high = 8-8.5 m) in capturing arboreal mammals. Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) constituted 86% of the captures. Low traps captured approximately half as many squirrels (15) as either medium (30) or high traps (28), and individual squirrels were recaptured at a single trap height more often than expected based on chance. Traps at the three heights exhibited significantly heterogeneity in initially capturing individual flying squirrels (i.e., previously unmarked squirrels). The hypothesis that trap height does not affect capture success of southern flying squirrels in southern forests during the summer is rejected. The general importance of trap height in studies of mammalian community ecology and conservation is discussed. 32 refs., 4 tabs.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-76SR00819
- OSTI ID:
- 459037
- Journal Information:
- American Midland Naturalist, Journal Name: American Midland Naturalist Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 136; ISSN 0003-0031; ISSN AMNAAF
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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