I will be setting Sherman traps filled with cotton and oats along Peromyscus habitats. These areas will be flagged with flagging tape and then removed once the traps cleared from the area. The animals I plan to trap are Peromyscus californicus and Peromyscus boylii. Once trapped I will ear-tag individuals, collect a small tissue sample (ear clip), collect fecal pellets, and vaginal swabs. Mice will also be lightly dusted with fluorescent powder to ID mated pairs. Approximately 15 adult male and female mice of each species will also be held for under 24 hours to participate in a behavioral study. This behavioral study will last approximately 10 minutes, after which mice will either be released where they were trapped.

Approved