NEON prototype small mammal box trapping data, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), CO, 2012

This data product contains the quality-controlled, native sampling resolution data from NEON's small mammal sampling protocol. Here small mammals are defined based on a combination of behavioral, dietary, and size constraints, as the NEON design is limited to species sampled by box traps. This definition includes any mammal that is (1) nonvolant; (2) nocturnally active; (3) forages predominantly aboveground; and (4) is greater than 5 grams but less than approximately 500-600 g. In North America, this includes cricetids, heteromyids, small sciurids, and introduced murids. It does not include shrews, large squirrels, rabbits, or weasels, despite the fact that individuals of these species may be incidentally captured. Products resulting from this sampling include the species identification and unique identifier for each individual captured, as well as a suite of standard size measurements and reproductive condition data. Blood samples for pathogen testing were collected only once per individual per sampling bout, but an individual may be resampled in subsequent bouts.
For additional details, see protocol [NEON.DOC.000481](http://data.neonscience.org/api/v0/documents/NEON.DOC.000481vJ): TOS Protocol and Procedure: Small Mammal Sampling and science design [NEON.DOC.000914](http://data.neonscience.org/api/v0/documents/NEON.DOC.000915vA): TOS Science Design for Small Mammal Abundance and Diversity.