Title:

Cocos Island brown treesnake invasion baiting and trapping pilot study data

Author(s):

Siers, Shane R.

Publication Year:

2023

How to Cite:

These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Siers, Shane R. 2023. Cocos Island brown treesnake invasion baiting and trapping pilot study data. Research Dataset Series. USDA, APHIS, WS National Wildlife Research Center. Ft. Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.2737/NWRC-RDS-2023-003

Abstract:

In October of 2020, a new population of invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) was discovered on the 33-ha island of Cocos Island, Guam. Trapping and bait fate pilot studies (NWRC QA-3106 and QA-3340) were conducted to evaluate potential eradication tools for this species. These studies sought to evaluate the usefulness of toxic baiting with acetaminophen-treated carrion baits and cage trapping, which are common tools for the control of brown treesnakes on mainland Guam. From December 2020 through April 2021 multiple bait types and bait presentations were used on 9 transects along existing paths and trails, including on the ground, suspended in the canopy emulating aerial bait applications, and in four plastic-tube bait station configurations intended to exclude nontarget species. All baits were monitored weekly with time lapse cameras and the following data recorded for the baiting study: location, type of presentation, bait and dosage of acetaminophen (0 or 80 milligrams), date and time of first bait monitoring image as well as the date and time of the take or ending period, and the species that took the bait. For the pilot trap study we tested two trap types (99 of each) commonly used on Guam and compared trapping success with live versus dead mouse lures. Traps were checked approximately every 2 weeks between June and August 2021 and the following data recorded: trap location, type and condition of lure, nontarget captures found in the traps, trap damage caused by nontarget species, and snake captures (which was only one in this study).

Keywords:

biota; Wildlife (or Fauna); Forest & Plant Health; Invasive species; trapping; baiting; brown treesnake; brown tree snake; Boiga irregularis; Guam; Cocos Island

Related publications:

• Siers, Shane R.; Nafus, Melia G.; Calaor, Jeried E.; Volsteadt, Rachel M.; Grassi, Matthew G.; Volsteadt, Megan; Collins, Aaron F.; Barnhart, Patrick D.; Huse, Logan T.; Yackel Adams, Amy A.; Vice, Diane L. 2024. Limitations of invasive snake control tools in the context of a new invasion on an island with abundant prey. NeoBiota. 90: 1-33. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.90.103041

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