Trapstills
Trap types
Setting trap
releasing
radio tracking
TRAP TYPES:
Elliott Traps - These are small aluminium
traps, with a pedal inside that when the animal steps on
it, it closes the trap door behind the animal. Elliott
traps are most commonly used to capture species such as
Antechinus, Rats, Dunnarts, Marsupial Mice and some small
Gliders.
Cage Traps - These are larger traps, which are
wire mesh cages. There are two types of cage traps; one
is where the bait is simply placed at the back of the
trap and the animal steps on a pedal which automatically
closes the cage door (similar to the elliott trap
mechanism) or the other type involves the bait being
placed on a hook and when the animal pulls on the hook,
it triggers the door to close behind the animal.
Bait - There are many different types of baits
which can be used in these trap types to capture small
mammals, such as bread and jam, sardines etc. But the
most commonly used bait, is a standard mixture of rolled
oats, peanut butter and honey (the sweet smell attracts
the animals). And it tastes good too!!!
Setting the traps - Firstly either a line
transect or a trapping grid must be marked out at the
study site. This means a marker and/or colourful flagging
tape is placed at regular intervals along a line, clearly
marking the trap stations.
Traps should be set out in the late afternoon when
trapping nocturnal animals. A small amount of bait mix is
placed in the back of the trap, ensuring it is not going
to roll out of the trap or get caught under the pedal
mechanism or door of the trap. The trap is then tested to
ensure it is working efficiently. The trap is then placed
in a suitable position that is protected from the weather
such as underneath some vegetation. The traps are then
left overnight.
Releasing the traps - Early the next morning
before it gets too warm, the traps are checked to see
what is caught. Firstly the animal is removed from the
trap into a large plastic bag. The animal is then weighed
in the bag before being removed to check the age, sex and
any identification markings (i.e. end of tail missing
etc) are recorded.
Sometimes an animal will be marked or tagged for
future research purposes before being released at the
point of capture. Ways in which the animal can be marked
include attaching a fingerling tag to an ear (sort of
like piercing their ear); clipping a toenail; putting a
tattoo in their ear etc. A recent addition to scientific
research has been the introduction of a new technique
where litle microchips are inserted beneath the skin of
the animal. Then when the animal is recapture you can
scan it with a scanning gun like they do at the
supermarket and a barcode number will come up!! Sometimes
an animal is going to be radio-tracked and this is the
point where the radio transmitter collar is either
attached around the animals neck or in some cases the
transmitter is glued onto the fur and then
released.
Details/Correspondence