Small mammal species status survey in the pinyon-juniper woodlands of City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, Idaho
Vincent J, Rodhouse TJ, Hirnyckl RP, Shardlow MR. 2007. Small mammal species status survey in the pinyon-juniper woodlands of City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, Idaho. Contract T-1-5 0516. National Park Service. Almo, Idaho
Surveys were conducted during the summer and fall seasons of 2005 and 2006. Integrated sampling efforts involving the utilization of small mammal live trapping and motion cameras were used to provide new information on the distribution, abundance, and habitat association of the cliff chipmunk (Tamias dorsalis), pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei), canyon mouse (Peromyscus crinitus), brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) and the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus). Remotely-deployed motion triggered cameras were used to target the ringtail. Cameras were placed in rocky areas where game trails funneled between rock features provided good opportunities to photograph animals. Scent stations were established using commercially available lures. Rodents were surveyed using standard aluminum live traps placed in randomly located plots. Vegetation, distance to important features, and other habitat characteristics were described for sampling locations. No ringtails were detected during the study although a confident sighting was made by knowledgeable park visitors in April 2006. Also, no canyon mice or brush mice were detected during the study. Four cliff chipmunks were captured at 4 sites in 2005, and 90 cliff chipmunks were captured at 19 sites in 2006. No pinyon mice were captured in 2005, but 139 pinyon mice were captured at 13 sites in 2006.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Vincent, Jodi; Rodhouse, Thomas; Hirnyckl, Robert; Shardlow, Mackenzie
- Date of Issue
- 2007-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CIRO , UCBN
- Keywords
- Biological Survey, Mammal Inventory, Observations, Presence (Biodiversity), Small Mammal