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Evolutionary, molecular and comparative zoology
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 57(5)

Comparative temperature in funnel and pit traps

Graham G. Thompson A C and Scott A. Thompson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.

B Coffey Environments, PO Box 4223, Victoria Park, WA 6979, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: g.thompson@ecu.edu.au

Australian Journal of Zoology 57(5) 311-316 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO09052
Submitted: 26 April 2009  Accepted: 28 August 2009   Published: 20 November 2009

Abstract

The temperature in pit and funnel traps with various shade-cover treatments on the two hottest days in Perth in the summer of 2008/09 were examined. Lethal temperatures for small mammals and reptiles were experienced in pipe and bucket pit-traps and funnel traps without covers on both days. Funnel traps with shade covers provided similar or better protection from solar radiation than buckets, pipes and funnel traps without covers. A breeze reduced temperatures in funnel traps more than it did in bucket and pipe pit-traps. It is recommended that all funnel traps deployed during fauna surveys be protected by a shade cover and during hot conditions a second shade cover should be used.


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