BAIT PREFERENCES BY DIFFERENT SMALL MAMMAL ASSEMBLAGES FOR EFFECTIVE CAGE-TRAPPING

The ecological study of small mammals often uses the cage-trapping method, installed with baits. Capture rates vary according to different baits used. We want determine bait preferences by mammal groups. approach used common domestic types available, namely, aromatic banana, sweet potato peanut butter, oil palm fruit, dried salted fish, jackfruit, and roasted coconut flesh. Sampling was conducted in three habitat categories, namely urban, semi-urban, recreational forests, located Selangor, Malaysia, for one year. A total 537 from 15 species were sampled, which then grouped into seven groups (i.e., Rattus sp., Maxomys Sundamys Leopaldamys sabanus, Suncus murinus, squirrels, Tupaia glis). Bait significantly among groups, i.e., F (6,35) = 5.621, p 0.000, bananas shown be most preferred bait, followed fruits potatoes. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis revealed that encompassed diverse preference, while S. murinus L. sabanus selective. Muridae potatoes butter over bananas, Sciuridae Tupaiidae Soricidae fish. This elucidates effective selection assemblages, serving as a guide increase capture when sampling targeted population mammals. Apart that, it is helpful rodent pest control.