Control of the ladder snake (Rhinechis scalaris) on Formentera using experimental live-traps

Abstract

The present paper reports the fi rst experience of trying to catch and reduce the presumed population of R. scalaris in the vicinity of La Mola in Formentera during the 2016 campaign. For this purpose, an experimental live-trap was designed by the wildlife management team of the Consorci per a la Recuperació de la Fauna de les Illes Balears (COFIB), along with the Government of the Balearic Islands. Budget constraints restricted the scope of this fi rst campaign to confi rming and mapping the presence of the ladder snake in the vicinity of La Mola. So, the aim was to determine the eff ectiveness of the trap, as defi ned by captures per unit eff ort (CPUE), in order to establish a starting point for future campaigns.