Standardizing the evaluation of brown tree snake trap designs

The introduced brown tree snake has had devastating impacts on the native vertebrate fauna of Guam. Trapping is the primary means by which brown tree snakes are removed, either in support of reintroduction of endangered species or to deter their movement from Guam in cargo. Traps used to control brown tree snake populations have been continually evolving since the 1980s. Before general operational implementation of a new design, the efficacy of new trap developments must be demonstrated. In this paper we combine the current knowledge about brown tree snake control objectives and practicalities, the information gained from a variety of brown tree snake trapping studies over the years, and fundamental statistical principles and methods to standardize procedures for testing developments in brown tree snake traps.