SREL Reprint #2124

Trap height and capture success of arboreal small mammals: evidence from southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans)

Thomas S. Risch and Matthew J. Brady

Department of Zoology and Wildlife Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29802

Abstract: 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 ("low" = 2 m, "meditim" = 4.5-5 m, and "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). We reject the hypothesis that trap height does not affect capture success of southern flying squirrels in southern forests during the summer. We discuss the general importance of trap height in studies of mammalian community ecology and conservation.

SREL Reprint #2124

Risch, T.S. and M.J. Brady. 1996. Trap height and capture success of arboreal small mammals: evidence from southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans). American Midland Naturalist 136:346-351.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).