To the trapping method of water shrews (Neomys)

Abstract

The article presents the research results (2018−2023) on the trapping method of water shrews in the Ushachi district of the Vitebsk region. To catch the animals, soil traps were used, namely 5–6 litres volume cut-off PET bottles dug in accordance with the shoreline contour. Their distance from the shoreline was 0.5–1.0 m. Most often, shrews fell into traps placed on channels (between lakes on rills), as well as in areas with trees overhanging the other shore, and near lakes on the ‘peninsulas.’ The maximum distance from water shrew captures in the surveyed areas was no more than 30 m which indicates the animals’ low migratory activity in favourable habitats. When traps are dug further than 10 m from the shore, rodents (voles and mice) and shrews predominate in the catches. Shrews were caught under all kinds of weather conditions. Experiments on catching shrews using Gero traps installed on floating boards, as well as soil traps dug along lines as they move away from the water body, ended without results.