The Use of a Novel Camera Trap to Detect Small Mammals (2022)

As part of a larger study examining mammal diversity and abundance along the Wildland/Rural Interface around Potsdam, we piloted a novel method of detecting small mammals using camera traps mounted within upside-down plastic buckets. We first tested bucket color, bucket size, and magnifying power of corrective lenses over the camera to adjust focal length by pulling study skins of mice, shrews, and a chipmunk through the camera’s field of view. Our findings suggest that seven–gallon buckets provide a larger field of view and are more likely to get an image, and that +3.0 diopter lenses provide greater resolution than +2.5 lenses. Both white and black buckets work well. We are also testing bait types (including peanut butter/oats mixture, a seed mixture and roasted peanut butter oil) and bait presentation to find a bait that will attract small mammals and minimize interference by larger mammals such as skunks and raccoons.