Authors
Jessica L. Norman & Patrick J.C. White
Abstract
Hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius are elusive, nocturnal, and primarily arboreal. Footprint tunnels, used to ascertain the presence or likely absence, are a relatively novel survey technique for this species. Tunnels are often placed within a reachable height (< 2 m), but due to the species’ arboreal nature, we hypothesised that better detection probability in woodland could be achieved with higher-placed tunnels. At two woodland sites with dormice populations, we placed 25 ‘low’ footprint tunnels at <2 m height, and 25 ‘high’ tunnels at 2.5 m-4.8 m. Tunnels were checked fortnightly for four months. At both sites, fortnightly detection probability per tunnel was significantly greater for high tunnels (55% and 69%) than low tunnels (25% and 37%).
Over four months almost all high tunnels detected dormice compared to about threequarters of low tunnels. Based on our data, high tunnels could have the same overall detection probability over six weeks as low tunnels over four months. Subject to safe working practices, placement of footprint tunnels higher in the canopy may reduce the risk of false negatives.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59922/ACAB1294
Full Citation
Norman, J., White, P.J.C. (2026) Hazel dormouse detection increases with footprint tunnels above 2.5 m. Mammal Communications 11: 8-15. https://doi.org/10.59922/ACAB1294
