small mammal Tomahawk trap set in the forest
Small mammal carnivore research
The terrestrial food web dynamics research project focuses on how mammalian carnivores of the Pacific Northwest forest interact with other components of the ecosystem. Specifically, the project aims to understand the ecology of the western spotted skunk: what it eats, where it lives, and how it is impacted by disturbances. To do this, researchers radio-collar spotted skunks and follow their movements. The project focuses on the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest and the surrounding Willamette National Forest. This photo gallery highlights field work at the Andrews Forest in fall of 2017 and 2018.
small mammal tomahawk trap set in the forest
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with small mammal trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, checks small mammal trap
tree tag in the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with radio telemetry gear
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with radio telemetry gear
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with radio telemetry gear
forest understory, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest
field technician, Rebecca Peterson, resets a trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets small mammal trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, checks small mammal trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets a small mammal trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets a small mammal trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets a small mammal trap
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, readies a camera to film release of a spotted skunk
small mammal trap with a spotted skunk inside
field technician, Ben Murley, opens trap to release spotted skunk
field technician releases a spotted skunk from a small mammal trap
spotted skunk, released from a small mammal trap
the blur of a spotted skunk exiting from a small mammal trap
the blur of a spotted skunk exiting from a small mammal trap. They move FAST!
field technician, Ben Murley, checks for scat in the Tomahawk trap after releasing spotted skunk
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley (right) prepare to work up a spotted skunk that has been captured in a Tomahawk trap
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley (right) prepare to collect data on a spotted skunk
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley (right) prepare to collect data on a spotted skunk
ear tag, data sheet, and other tools
Marie Tosa shows a radio transmitter collar
Marie Tosa gloves up in preparation for handling a skunk
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa preparing to chemically immobilize the spotted skunk inside the Tomahawk trap
Marie Tosa injects a mild sedative into the skunk, so it can be handled
Marie Tosa gently picks up the skunk, which has been midly sedated
Marie Tosa holds a spotted skunk, alive and sedated
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley prepare to collect data on a spotted skunk
researchers weigh a spotted skunk by gently placing it inside a cloth bag and hanging it from the scale
researchers inspect spotted skunk for any injuries
Researchers inspect spotted skunk for any ectoparasites like ticks and fleas
researchers fit a radio transmitter collar to a spotted skunk
researchers fit a radio transmitter collar to a spotted skunk
researchers check a spotted skunk for ectoparasites like ticks and fleas
researchers check a spotted skunk for ectoparasites like ticks and fleas
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa prepares spotted skunk to photograph its pelt pattern
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa prepares spotted skunk to photograph its pelt pattern
Field technician Ben Murley photographs the spotted skunk's pelt pattern
OSU PhD student Marie Tosa holds a spotted skunk
Researchers photograph spotted skunk
a spotted skunk, mildly sedated. It will be released.
radio transmitter collar on a spotted skunk, used to track movements within the forest
OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, holds a spotted skunk just before it is released
a researcher gently prepares to place the skunk back into the trap where it will be safe while it wakes up from sedative
a researcher gently places the skunk back into the trap where it will be safe while it wakes up from sedative
a Tomahawk trap, closed up while the skunk inside wakes up from sedative
Marie Tosa and animal capture supplies