Small, non-native mammal inventory in Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Abstract

A presence/absence survey for small non-native mammals was conducted in Kalaupapa National Historical Park March–May 2005. The survey consisted of seven 500-m transects, each with 11 stations, except for one transect which had nine stations (75 stations total). One large and two small snap traps, a Tomahawk® live trap, a tracking tunnel, and a glue board were set at each station. Small mammal trapping was conducted for three nights in the spring of 2005 along each transect for a total of 215.5 corrected trap nights for cats and mongooses, 430 for rats, and 830 for mice. Results indicate the presence of black rats (Rattus rattus), house mice (Mus musculus), mongooses (Herpestes javanicus), and feral cats (Felis catus) in the park. Trapping indicated average capture rates per 100 trap nights of 3.48 for black rat and 1.2 for mouse. Forty-two mongooses and two feral cats were captured. No evidence of Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans) or Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) was detected in our sample. For mice and rats, the number of tracking tunnel signs was low even on transects where the capture rate by snap or glue traps was high. However, for mongooses and cats the number of tracking tunnel signs was proportionally higher than the overall capture rate.