I recently began to work with viviparous Neotropical skinks of the genus Mabuya. Specifically with females at different stages of gestation. My tutor and lab colleagues have studied them for a long time and a recurring comment is related to the difficulty of field sampling.
The standard method of catch is by hand, but these lizards are very quick moving through the litter, and their smooth-scales covered skin makes them difficult to hold. Also, in the most advanced stages of pregnancy, these lizards stops feeding so funnel traps will likely be less effective.
I have little experience in catching, and I am planning some field trips to obtain some specimens (especially to learn about the field work). I would like to try different catch methods, hoping to make it easier to obtain research material.
I will be very grateful for any suggestions or advice you can provide.
There are several trapping methods for skinks in the literature. Some work better than others depending on the habitat, the species, etc. See the following publication and references therein: Gebauer, K., 2009. Trapping and identification techniques for small-scaled skinks (Oligosoma microlepis). DOC Research & Development Series. 24 p. https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/science-and-technical/drds318entire.pdf.
Hello Fabian; People who use pitfall traps for sampling ground-active arthropods often find skinks in their traps. I use these traps for ant sampling and have to put a little stick in each trap so as to avoid catching small lizards, including skinks. (They use the stick to climb out...some ants do too.)
If you do use pitfalls, it is essential that the traps are checked frequently - more than once per day - so that the animals don't kill one another in the trap. Putting small retreats in the bottoms of the traps provides hiding places for the trapped animals. Check your institution's ethical standards about this method. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
Andrew Paul McKenzie Pegman
Spot on mate, was going to suggest artificial hiding placed to be placed out, as that's one method I use for elusive and fast species. =)
Dear Fabian this may sound a bit 'old school and unconventional method' however, the applicable & most reliable is using bare hands (worked for me, although takes few practices in the beginning). When you encountered/spot any terrestrial skinks and the field trick is to make no sudden physical movement for a moment which can draw further attention of the skink(s) because skink alerted and reacted fast (in fact, most reptiles do and it speedily escapes/camouflage to evade potential danger yet not too far), draw and cornered the reptile, locate pinpoint to such a small enclosed space for easy or live trap/catch (before that position your angle, accordingly & act fast, else you might miss your 'only chance') remember to target always round the neck area for little or no struggle, later (do not go for tail). I have successfully managed for Sphenomorphus, Eutropis, and Lygosoma species. Tricks for water-skink, Tropidophorus species is an additional exciting story. All the best and happy skinks herping!
You can use pitfall traps Or a simple net traps with food towards the closed side. Another way can be spraying cold water to restrict movement and then they can be caught by hand.
I have used the method Ht. Decemson recommended a number of times. The best time is early morning when the temperature is just starting to warm up. As we all know reptiles move like lighting in hot weather.
Hand capture is the only way I have ever captured skinks, although other researchers have had success with pitfall traps, which I suspect only works for ground dwellers. The noose method doesn't seem to work well with them.
Have tried noose method with no success! Early morning hand capture has always been my go to method - especially as the terrain I was capturing in was bare rock with no possibility of pitfall trapping.
Hola Fabian, Yo trabaje con Mabuyas en Colombia y según el hábitat donde se encuentren, se pueden utilizar algunas técnicas, la primera es capturarlas manualmente y temprano en la mañana, antes de que toman el sol, lo otro que haciamos es poner en el suelo diversos objetos como tarros, e incluso nuestras botas de campo, para cuando intentabamos capturar a las Mabuyas, estan buscaban estos sitios como refugio, ya que estas Mabuyas en Colombia lo que hacen es buscar sitios para esconderse, más que correr por largas dstancias como hacen los Teidos. Trabajabamos cuatro personas que emboscabamos al lagarto, hasta que lo haciamos esconderse en algún sitio u objeto que poniamos en el terreno, también eramos muy ágiles en la captura de estos ejemplares en campo, eso es muy importante, que con la gente que te vaya a ayudar sean bastantes ágiles.
Cualquier duda, con gusto podemos hablar
Pitfall traps (large ones!) are incredibly effective for skinks, even exceptionally large species (e.g. Eutropis [formerly Mabuya] grandis). We used pitfall traps really effectively here:
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It depends on the species and question you are asking. I've been very successful with using baited (banana) pitfall traps (up to 50 skinks (Oligosoma suteri) over 1 night). But have also used baited (banana) Gee's G-40 Steel Minnow Traps for catching skinks (Oligosoma homalonotum) in semi-aquatic circumstances (e.g. in small streams), but can also be used for arboreal species. The O.homalonotum are notoriously difficult to sample with one of the lowest catch rates per 100 sample nights I've seen.
One method that I had success with when catching Phelsuma grandis was to put a large, transparent tub of crickets on the ground within their line of sight. The geckos would come over to the tub but not be able to get at the crickets. They were so fixated the crickets that they would pay no attention to me as I used a noose pole to capture them.
Other methods that I have had success with (besides hand-trapping and noose pole) are "fishing" for them with a baited line, or using a baited line to lure them onto a glue trap.
I have every reason to believe that you could have some success using these methods to capture skinks as well.
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I recommended you use pitfall traps to capture the skinks. You can set up the traps with Y-shaped or L-shaped designs.
Searching under refugia (woods, stones, metal sheet etc) or pitfall traps (size depend from the skink species).
Pitfall traps with plastic drift fences are usually very productive for ground dwelling skinks.
Pitfall traps work well but can be a lot of work to install. Good if you are in the same area for a long period of time.
If you are only in an area for a brief amount of time I've also used sticky pad traps thumb tacked to the sides of tree trunks and larger exposed roots. But you need to check them often or ants get to the animal or the animal. Use olive oil or other cooking oil to gently massage the skink off the trap.
Hello Fabian; Colin's suggestion is a good one! It reminds me of a lizard study I was part of in which we also used these "drop boards". We made a little depression that would be covered by the board. When somebody was under the board it was always in the little depression. Regards, Jim Des Lauriers
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