Small Mammals in the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia and North Carolina

Small mammals were surveyed in a range of habitats in the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia and North Carolina. The survey is based on three chronologically overlapping studies, each lasting 15-18 months and for which the results have been reported separately. A different trapping method was used in each of the three studies: nest boxes, Fitch live traps, or pitfall traps. Only two species of mammals, both arboreal, were taken in nest boxes, compared with 10 and 9 species in Fitch live traps and pitfall traps, respectively. The Fitch live traps had a much higher catch rate per 1,000 trap-nights than either of the other methods. However, pitfall traps were more efficient at catching Sorex longirostris fisheri and Synaptomys cooperi helaletes, two mammals that were previously believed to be rare. Although the catch rates were comparable in non forested habitats and in forest, more individuals and more species were obtained in the former. At least 5 of the 12 collected species do not occur in the forests. These studies added Sigmodon hispidus to the mammals known from the Dismal Swamp, and the results suggest that Peromyscus gossypinus no longer occurs in the swamp