Small mammal trapping was carried out in the Saja/Umm Ar-Rimth Protected Area to determine the species composition and to compare standard-length Sherman and commonly available cage traps. Five rodent species were captured from December 2002 to December 2003. The cage traps consistently trapped more rodents than the Sherman traps and the Baluchistan Gerbil, Gerbillus nanus, showed a clear preference for the cage traps. There was no marked difference in the failure rates of the two trap types. Seasonally, the trapping frequencies were not randomly distributed, with higher capture rates for most species during the cool season. Significant differences were recorded in the mean weights of the five rodent species captured, but no significant difference existed between the mean weights of the rodents successfully captured in either trap type. We conclude that both trap types were successful in trapping rodents in the observed weight range, and that species-specific behavioural differences and/or differences in trap design could affect trap efficiency. Consequently it is advisable to use a combination of trap types when studying rodent ecology. It is also strongly recommended that pilot studies be conducted to help identify any potential shortcomings in study design and field procedures.