Assessing capture success of small mammals due to trap orientation in field–forest edge habitat

Abstract

The prediction that trap orientation would not affect the likelihood of capturing small, non-volant mammals in field–forest edge habitat was tested during late May and early June 2010 at 3 locations in western Tennessee. Traps were placed in pairs along transects in edge habitats with the orientation of one trap facing outward, toward the field, and the other oriented inward, toward the forest. Results reflected no differential capture success due to trap orientation among ages, sexes, species, or locations. This finding should facilitate the inventorying and monitoring of small mammals in an abundant and potentially species-rich habitat type found in many terrestrial regions.