Mammal tracking and nest location in Brazilian forest with an improved spool‐and‐line device

Abstract

Spool‐and‐line mammal tracking devices, with a range of up to 2300 m, were constructed and used to trace Brazilian forest mammals. A retrieval rate of 64.6% was achieved with 263 animals of 16 species. Detailed observations of nests or refuges and behaviour were possible, which contributed to an understanding of the ecological segregation of the species. It was demonstrated that spool‐and‐line tracking was a valuable, neglected procedure, with some advantages over other methods, that could become an integral part of routine investigations of mammal ecology.