12/12/2025
Among the biodiversity survey techniques used by Kumbe Biodiversity, Sherman traps are one of our go-to tools for studying small mammals.
In one of our recent field surveys, these traps played a key role but as always, success isnโt just about setting a trap and waiting. We prepare fresh bait every morning, using a strong-smelling mix of sardines, peanut butter, and coconut. That aroma can attract small mammals from surprisingly far away sometimes up to 50 meters, depending on habitat and conditions. Each day, traps are carefully re-baited to keep them effective.
Still, the real skill lies beyond the bait. Knowing where to place the trap, why a spot works, and how animals move through their environment is what truly makes the difference. Itโs a mix of method, experience, and field intuition the kind of detail that turns trapping into real biodiversity insight.
