Effect of Sampling Time on Camera Trap Results

Abstract

EFFECT OF SAMPLING TIME ON CAMERA TRAP RESULTS Authors: Joseph M. Beck, John VanNiel Ten weeks of camera trap data from a single location was analyzed for mammal species richness, latency to detection and capture frequency for each species. The camera trap was placed in a wetland area at the FLCC Muller Field Station. Analyses were completed for the entire ten week period as well as sub-sampling for two- and one-week periods in order to compare results and recommend duration of placement for future studies. A total of ten species were captured with raccoon (Procyon lotor), Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), and North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) being observed most frequently, in that order. The species with the shortest latency to detection was the deer mouse (Peromyscus sp.) which was viewed on the first day. The species with the longest latency to detection was American black bear (Ursus americanus), having been first viewed on the last day of the study.