Relationship of previous trap occupancy to capture of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)

Abstract

Adult white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were more likely to be captured in traps previously occupied by conspecific individuals of the opposite sex than in traps previously occupied by the same sex, especially during breeding season. Sex of a mouse in the 3rd capture by a particular trap appeared related to the sexes of mice in both the 1st and 2nd captures. Breeding females were more likely to be captured in traps previously containing males than nonbreeding females. Breeding individuals occurred more often than expected in traps that previously held other breeding mice of the same sex rather than nonbreeding mice. Captures of juveniles were more likely to follow previous captures of juveniles than of adults, probably because members of the same litter were being captured. Finally, white-footed mice were less likely to be captured in traps that previously held a potential predator, short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda).