A Comparison of Three Models of Wildlife Cameras for Small Mammal Surveys

Abstract

Many mammal species are nocturnal and secretive, making detection through conventional techniques like trapping inefficient. Recent advancements in infrared-triggered wildlife (game) cameras have made it possible to use noninvasive techniques to study distribution, activity patterns, and behavior of many different mammal species. However, most research has focused on larger mammals because they are more likely to be detected with this technique. Differences in sensitivity, illumination, and photo quality between models may compound efforts to compare results obtained with different camera models. Additionally, camera models range from economical to expensive, and cost-efficiency is always a concern for research efforts. We tested three different models of wildlife cameras by positioning cameras over bait at a site in Putnam County, Tennessee. The effect of camera position on detection was also examined.  Findings will be discussed.