A study on the population structure of small mammals was carried out in Aridtsy Forest, Awi Zone from August 2011 to February 2012 incorporating both wet and dry seasons. Sherman live traps and snap traps in four randomly selected different trapping grids where distinct habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, grassland and farmland were employed. During this study a total of 468 individuals, including eight species of small mammals (live traps) and 89 individuals counting six species of small mammals (snap traps) were trapped in a total of 2352 and 1200 trap nights, respectively. From overall trap, seven species of small mammals were under family muridae and a single species was belonging to family Soricidae. There was also a variation in trap success among different habitat types, with the highest in the bushland. There was an affinity to caught more males comprised 59.7% and females 40.3% of the total capture. There was a statistically significant variation in the capture of adults between seasons, but no statistical variation for subadult and young age groups was recorded between seasons.

 

Key words: Aridtsy Forest, Awi Zone, sex ratio, species, small mammals