A Technique for Trapping and Tagging Spotted Skunks

Abstract

Wildlife technicians are constantly confronted with the problem of obtaining certain data without causing atypical behavior in the species studied. It was necessary to deal with this difficulty in the current investigation of the prairie spotted skunk (Spilogale interrupta) in Iowa. For three years the writer has been engaged in research on this skunk over an area of 17 square miles in the southeastern part of the State. The work involves an intensive trapping and tagging program and has required the development and perfection of a trap and of a tagging technique which do not appear to frighten the animals or to have any great effect upon their physical condition. The spotted skunk is more like a weasel in habits than is the striped skunk, and may be more affected by man's activities. It is rapid moving and can climb trees readily. It is timid but alert and quick-tempered. It is difficult to tame. When kept in captivity for a long period it becomes accustomed to its keeper but may not willingly be touched. The species, too, appears to be more nomadic than the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and is probably less inclined to have a permanent den. It is by preference nocturnal and is usually not seen abroad in daylight. Several types of traps were tried at first, such as those recommended by the United States Biological Survey (now the Fish and Wildlife Service) for the trapping of cats, but they did not prove satisfactory. The trap (P1. 20-A) finally developed is, to the writer's knowledge, novel in construction and design. The trap is made like a box with one end double and one side having a swinging door. The side door permits easy cleaning of the trap and setting of the mechanism. This door has a wire cloth insert for admitting light to the interior. All working parts of the trap are inside the box; thus fouling or tripping of the mechanism by snow, ice, water, or wind is avoided. There are no hinges in the tripping mechanism to become stiff during wet weather. There are no places where metal rests against metal or where binding may result, and consequently interfere with the sensitivity and action of the mechanism (P1. 20-B). The door (an automobile license plate thrice folded) is hung by fishline cord running through eyes fixed in the top of the box. At the trigger end of the cord a I-inch ring is attached and this ring passes over the wire lever holding up the treadle (P1. 20-B, and P1. 21-A). The metal door is heavy enough to counterbalance the treadle and being metal it cannot be chewed. 1 Journal Paper No. J-822 of the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 549. Fish and Wildlife Service (U. S. Department of the Interior), Iowa State College, Iowa State Conservation Commission, and the American Wildlife Institute cooperating. 2 Research in this project is under the supervision of Dr. Geo. O. Hendrickson, Iowa State College, and T. G. Scott, United States Fish and Wildlife Service.