Comparative temperature in funnel and pit traps

The temperature in pit and funnel traps with various shade-cover treatments on the two hottest days in Perth in the summer of 2008/09 were examined. Lethal temperatures for small mammals and reptiles were experienced in pipe and bucket pit-traps and funnel traps without covers on both days. Funnel traps with shade covers provided similar or better protection from solar radiation than buckets, pipes and funnel traps without covers. A breeze reduced temperatures in funnel traps more than it did in bucket and pipe pit-traps. It is recommended that all funnel traps deployed during fauna surveys be protected by a shade cover and during hot conditions a second shade cover should be used.