Use of drift fences to capture Lower Keys marsh rabbits

Abstract

Drift fences, often in conjunction with pitfall or funnel traps, commonly are used to capture amphibians and reptiles (Gibbons and Semlitsch 1981, Corn 1994), small mammals (Kirkland and Sheppard 1994), and fledgling birds (Nettleship 1969). Gibbons and Semlitsch (1981) noted the incidental capture of eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) using drift fences with pitfall traps. However, with the exception of Ludeman (1954), who suggested drift fences as a means to prevent porcupines (Erethizon spp.) from damaging trees, we are unaware of drift fences being used for the purpose of capturing of medium-sized mammals. Listed as federally endangered in 1990, the Lower Keys marsh rabbit (hereafter marsh rabbit; S. palustris hefneri) exists as a metapopulation in 102 patches of wetland habitat in Florida's Lower Keys (United States Fish and Wildlife Service 1990, Forys and Humphrey 1996, Faulhaber 2003). In areas with thick grasses (e.g., gulf cord grass [Spartina spartinae] and saltmeadow cordgrass [Spartina patens]), the conventional method for trapping marsh rabbits consists of placing nonbaited 2-door live traps in tunnels and corridors through the vegetation (Forys 1995, Faulhaber 2003). However, habitats with low or sparse herbaceous growth, such as saltmarshes dominated by seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus) and some areas within sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) marshes, did not provide the vegetation structure required for this method. Trapping alternatives included use of baits or scent (e.g., domestic rabbit urine); however, Forys (1995) and Faulhaber (2003) were unable to find a suitable bait to lure marsh rabbits into traps, and some baits posed the additional problem of attracting raccoons (Procyon lotor). Domestic rabbit urine could not be used as it may have posed a disease problem to this endangered species. Here we describe the use of drift fences in conjunction with 2-door live traps to capture marsh rabbits in habitats where conventional trapping methods were unsuccessful or unfeasible.