The effect of trap spacing on the capture of brown tree snakes on Guam

Abstract

Trapping is central to the integrated control programme to deter brown tree snakes from entering the outbound cargo flow from Guam. Trapping brown tree snakes is effective, but labour intensive. Increasing inter-trap spacings without loss of efficacy could substantially increase the efficiency of efforts to prevent dispersal of this species. Inter-trap spacings of 20, 30 and 40m along perimeter trap lines were compared using recaptures of tagged brown tree snakes. No differences were found among the different spacing distances for the distribution of recapture times. The results indicate that for some situations, snake trapping may be extended or made more efficient by increasing the distances between traps.