Terrestrial mammal register camera trapping in Galicia

Although most mammals live in terrestrial environments, it is difficult to see them in the wild. However, there is a wide variety of techniques for their detection. Currently, camera trapping is the most widely used non-invasive detection technique. Thus, we used this methodology to determine the optimal variables to carry out mammals’ camera trapping assessments in the wild. From 2016 to 2020, we placed 20 camera traps in Os Montes do Invernadeiro Natural Park (Ourense, Galicia), from which we obtained 8,044 records (photographs and videos). We obtained significant differences between records frequencies in each category of climatic environmental and seasonal variables according to the mammal species. As well, the atmospheric mean temperature, location and period were the most determinant variables to correlate detection events of different mammal species. On the basis of a generalized lineal model (GLM) we obtained a great number of events in deciduous and pine forests, during summer and autumn, and on nights of waxing and waning quarters; of both predators, which appear in locations with crossroads, and prey, which avoid these crossroads. Therefore, it can be stated that there are optimal climatic, environmental and seasonal conditions to carry out camera trapping studies on mammal species.