Terrestrial Mammal Survey of Isle au Haut, Knox County, Maine

Cole, Sarah

'This study provides a comprehensive census of the terrestrial mammals of Isle au Haut. Six traplines consisting of 50 Sherman (23 x 8 x 9 cm) and 16 Havahart (46 x 12 x 12 cm) live-traps were run for 3 nights each over the period of 1 September - 23 October 1992. Dominant vegetation was recorded at each trap station. Exact locations of the traplines were determined using a global positioning system. Trapline locations, vegetation, and animals trapped were entered as a series of geographic information system covers using ArcInfo. Tail length, body length, weight and sex of captured animals were recorded; animals were searched for the deer tick, Ixodes dammini, and marked by clipping dorsal hair before being released at capture site. Additionally, 70 kilometers of trails, stream and dirt road were repeatedly covered on foot and on bicycle while searching for mammal sign.' This paper is the first documentation of the eastern coyote (Canis latrans) on Isle au Haut. The presence of the coyote, the boreal red back vole (Clethrionomys gapperi), and the raccoon (Procyon lotor) is discussed. The trapline nearest human activity had significantly fewer trapped mammals. The deer tick appears limited to the eastern side of the island. Acadia National Park's islands.' Six 250 meter transects were established on Isle au Haut and transect endpoints were recorded with a GPS. Small mammals were trapped (1188 trap nights) using 50 Sherman and 16 Havahart live-traps per transect. Lists species captured on Isle au Haut and summarizes published historical mammal sightings. Also contains an appendix noting Acadia National Park specimens from 7 museums /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /ISLE AU HAUT/