CLIMATIC FACTORS AFFECTING TRAPPING SUCCESS OF SOME SOUTH-AFRICAN SMALL MAMMALS

The effect of weather on the capture probability of small mammals in S herman live traps was investigated. Small mammals were captured over a five-year period. A management f ire removed all surface vegetation a t the end of the second year. The diurnal trapping success was reduced following the fire. Smaller species had an increased chance of being caught on windy days. Rhabdomys pumilio and Mus minutoides showed a se asonal peak in capture probability which coincided with the onset of r eproduction. Praomys verreauxii was less likely to be caught on moonli t nights. The capture success of other species was affected by rain, t emperature and relative humidity.