The influence of bait and camera type on detection of a spectrum of medium-sized Australian mammals

Abstract

Camera-trapping programs are most effective when informed by knowledge of the influence of components of the camera setup such as bait and camera type. I investigated the influence of two baits and three camera types on detection of eight species of medium-sized mammals across a 10-month survey. The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) was the only species that favoured a meat bait (sardines) over a peanut-butter bait. The long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus), Parma wallaby (Notamacropus parma), long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) and swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) favoured the peanut-butter bait over the meat bait. The northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus), mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) and feral cat (Felis catus) showed no preference. Camera type influenced weekly detection in three species. The long-nosed bandicoot had lower detection at a Reconyx white-flash (WF) camera compared with a Reconyx infra-red flash (IR) and a Swift wide-angle (Sw) camera. The mountain brushtail possum had higher detection at a Sw compared with WF and IR. The feral cat had higher detection at a WF compared with IR and Sw. The findings have implications in relation to selection of bait and camera type that can lead to more effective monitoring, whether a program is directed at one of these species or the spectrum of species.