COMPARISON OF THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF ACOUSTIC AND VISUAL-STIMULI FOR BRUSHTAIL POSSUMS

Population control of the brushtail possum using poisons and traps rel ies on their interaction with baits and trap mechanisms. It follows th at lures that can consistently attract possums will help increase kill ing efficiency. We tested the effectiveness of two different types of stimulus (white light and an electronic pulse sound, ''beep'') for att racting possums. Seventeen wild-caught possums were given a choice bet ween two boxes, one of which had one of the stimuli associated with it and a plain control box. Attractiveness was assessed by scoring the i ncidence of three specific behaviours: approaching box, putting head i nto box, or entering box. Most animals interacted with at least one of the boxes, although there was a tendency for increased interest in bo th boxes when the light box was present. An equal number of possums en tered the light and beep boxes, but a significant number repeatedly en tered the beep box more often. Acoustic and visual lures may have a ro le in increasing the attractiveness of traps, thereby improving their effectiveness.