Final Report: Inventory of the Mammals of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria Preserve and Chalmette Battlefield

Hood, Craig

This report describes an inventory of mammal species occurring in the Barataria Preserve and Chalmette Battlefield units of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JLNHPP) located in southeastern Louisiana, conducted from September 2003 to June 2006. Small and medium-sized mammals were observed using live trapping, motion-triggered cameras, study of owl pellets and field observations of tracks and sign. Large mammals were observed using motion-triggered cameras, study of National Park Service (NPS) trapping records, and field observations of tracks and sign. Bats were documented using mist nets and electronic bat detectors. Field work included 8,820 trap-nights (live trapping), 1,462 camera-days (motiontriggered cameras), 88 net-nights (bat netting), and 50 detector-nights (bat electronic detection). In the Barataria Preserve, 24 species of mammals were documented as occurring in the marsh, swamp, bottomland hardwood forests, and on the natural and man-made spoil banks of waterways (bayous and canals). The following were especially noteworthy findings: 1) first documentation of bats at the Barataria Preserve (7 species), including Rafinesque’s big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) and the southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparious) both of which are considered uncommon in southeast Louisiana, 2) discovery of a maternity colony of the evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis) using bridge supports at the intersection of Kenta Canal and Bayou Coquille, 3) documentation of a large population of resident coyotes (Canis latrans), and nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in all areas of the Barataria Preserve (both coyotes and nine-banded armadillos have only recently extended their range into southeast Louisiana), and 4) documentation of a large population of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that has the potential for presenting natural resource management concerns into the future. In the Chalmette Battlefield, 11 species of mammals were documented as occurring in the herbaceous field (the battlefield site) and the wooded park boundaries (at fence lines). The natural habitat of the Chalmette Battlefield is so limited and tourist activity so strong that it is not surprising that only a few mammals would be documented or observed. The following noteworthy findings are: 1) first documentation of bats at the Chalmette Battlefield (4 species), 2) presence of the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), and 3) lack of resident rodents in the wooded areas at the boundaries of the park unit.

Final Report: Inventory of the Mammals of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Barataria Preserve and Chalmette Battlefield

Collections