Trapping Squirrels

We started trapping California ground squirrels (Spermophilis beecheyi) a couple of days ago. We are trapping squirrels so that we can mark their fur. This will help us ID individuals during natural observations and experiments. We need to ID individuals because we are interested in knowing if squirrels interact with snakes close to or far away from their home burrow, and knowing which squirrels are more likely to approach snakes. Is it just the squirrel mothers, or do adult males also harass snakes?

To trap the squirrels we set up wire traps baited with sunflower seeds outside of active burrows. Below are the procedural steps we take to dye-mark their fur:

1) Scare squirrel into bag and hold down:

2) Inject hind leg with ketamine

3) Insert metal ear tags into both ears

3) Paint ID number onto fur (using nyanzol dye)

4) Measure body parts (snout to anus, leg length, tail length)

5) Wait for it to regain consciousness (perfect time for photo ops)

Although 96 traps are set out, very few squirrels have been caught. It takes them a while to become comfortable with the traps, but after they realize they can get a free meal, it will be hard to get them out.