Members of the Light lab (Lacie LaMonica, Sarah Ardry, Stephen Fowler, and Sandy Martinez) traveled to Webb and Dimmit Counties in mid-May, where they spent 5 nights setting a total of 1,750 small mammal traps in search of the elusive Nelson’s pocket mouse (Chaetodipus nelsoni).
Although they did not catch any C. nelsoni, they caught some awesome sunrises, sunsets, and a variety of other rodent species. The team trapped a total of 133 rodents representing 9 different species, including 71 white-footed deer mice (Peromyscus leucopus), 21 northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster), 15 Southern plains wood rats (Neotoma micropus), 12 hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), 8 fulvous harvest mice (Reithrodontomys fulvescens), 2 kangaroo rats (Dipodomys sp.), 2 hispid pocket mice (Chaetodipus hispidus), 1 northern pygmy mouse (Baiomys taylori), and 1 Merriam’s pocket mouse (Perognathus merriami). All specimens were healthy, active and released. Great job, team!
This research is funded by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
See photos from the trapping trip below.
 Fulvous harvest mouse |
 White-footed mouse |
 Kangaroo rat |
 Identifying specimens |
 Counting traps |
 Light Lab Members |