Captures of deer mice in small and large Sherman live traps

Abstract

Success in capturing small mammals can be influenced by the size and type of live traps in some cases (Slade et al. 1993; O'Farrell et al. 1994), but not others (Kiesel 1972). When Sherman live traps are used to sample small mammals, several sizes and types are available (e.g., Kiesel 1972; Slade et al. 1993). Of these, we have used both the standard non-folding small (5.1 x 6.3 x 16.5 cm) and both folding and non-folding large models (7.6 x 8.9 x 22.9 cm) to sample populations of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Herein, we report tests of capture success for deer mice in small and large non-folding live traps and in small non folding and large folding live traps, when both traps are available at a sampling station.