Izvestiya of Saratov University.
ISSN 1816-9775 (Print)
ISSN 2541-8971 (Online)


non-invasive methods

Proposals for improving a non-invasive method for estimating abundance of mouse-like rodents and shrews in urban areas

Previously we proposed a new reconnaissance method for estimating the total abundance of small mammals in urban areas. The method includes placing plastic bottles with bait inside equal distances apart. In this research we examined two ways to improve the method: using bottles of smaller volume (0,25 liters instead of 0,5 liters) to increase the ergonomics and using opaque bottles to make them more attractive for animals. Bigger and smaller bottles with neck diameter of 38 mm were fastened in pairs which were set in a transect with a fi ve-meter spacing.