Model for 3D printing of a hair trap for the inventories of voles and mice in Quebec

Between 2019 and 2022, the Department developed and evaluated a non-lethal inventory method for voles and mice based on the use of hair traps. This approach aimed to meet the ethical and logistical challenges associated with conventional methods of lethal capture. Evaluated in September 2022 at Jacques-Cartier National Park, the method made it possible to compare the effectiveness of hair traps to that of deadly spring traps in different types of forest habitats. Equipped with several inputs of varying sizes, hair traps allow the collection of hair samples used for species identification through genetic analyses. The results obtained demonstrate that this non-invasive method is an effective and comparable solution to conventional approaches for the inventory of micromammals, particularly in conservation contexts or for species in a precarious situation. With a view to developing and harmonizing non-lethal inventories, the Ministry provides consultants, partners and other users with the digital files necessary for the manufacture of this hair trap. This trap is linked to the [Standardized protocol for micromammal inventories in Québec]…

Publisher

Government and Municipalities of Québec

Resources

2

Catalogue metadata updated

2026-06-17