Inventory of Mammals at Shiloh National Military Park

Kennedy, Michael; Jennings, Jason

An inventory of the mammals (other than bats) at Shiloh National Military Park (SNMP) in Hardin County, Tennessee, was conducted during 2005 and 2006. Purposes of the work were to: (1) document at least 90% of the species reasonably expected to occur at SNMP; (2) describe the distribution and, if possible, relative abundance of species of special concern occurring on the park; and (3) provide baseline information on the distribution, abundance, and habitat association of mammalian populations at the site. Survey methods included trapping (utilizing Sherman live traps and pitfall traps), scent-station procedures, cameras at bait stations, general observations, and spotlight surveys. Additionally, specimens housed in the Mammal Collection at The University of Memphis were examined. Twenty-nine species of mammals, representing 7 orders and 14 families, were confirmed at SNMP. The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) was the most common small mammal recorded. Eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) had site-wide distributions and were among the more common mammals occurring at the park. No state or federally listed endangered or threatened species was documented during the investigation. Overall, biodiversity at the site approached that known for western Tennessee. Therefore, SNMP represents an important area for sustaining mammalian biodiversity in the region.

Inventory of Mammals at Shiloh National Military Park

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