The terrestrial food web dynamics research project focuses on how mammalian carnivores of the Pacific Northwest forest interact with other components of the ecosystem. Specifically, the project aims to understand the ecology of the western spotted skunk: what it eats, where it lives, and how it is impacted by disturbances. To do this, researchers radio-collar spotted skunks and follow their movements. The project focuses on the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest and the surrounding Willamette National Forest. This photo gallery highlights field work at the Andrews Forest in fall of 2017 and 2018.
Small mammal carnivore research 2017 and 2018
a researcher gently places the skunk back into the trap where it will be safe while it wakes up from sedative
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a researcher gently prepares to place the skunk back into the trap where it will be safe while it wakes up from sedative
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a spotted skunk, mildly sedated. It will be released.
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a Tomahawk trap, closed up while the skunk inside wakes up from sedative
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Animal capture data sheet
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Animal capture supplies
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Animal capture supplies
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ear tag, data sheet, and other tools
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Field technician Ben Murley photographs the spotted skunk's pelt pattern
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field technician releases a spotted skunk from a small mammal trap
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field technician releases a spotted skunk from a small mammal trap
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field technician, Ben Murley, checks for scat in the Tomahawk trap after releasing spotted skunk
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field technician, Ben Murley, opens trap to release spotted skunk
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field technician, Rebecca Peterson, resets a trap
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forest understory, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest
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lichen on tree bark
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Marie Tosa and animal capture supplies
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Marie Tosa and animal capture supplies
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Marie Tosa gently picks up the skunk, which has been midly sedated
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Marie Tosa gloves up in preparation for handling a skunk
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Marie Tosa holds a spotted skunk, alive and sedated
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Marie Tosa injects a mild sedative into the skunk, so it can be handled
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Marie Tosa shows a radio transmitter collar
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa holds a spotted skunk
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa prepares spotted skunk to photograph its pelt pattern
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa prepares spotted skunk to photograph its pelt pattern
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa preparing to chemically immobilize the spotted skunk inside the Tomahawk trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, checks small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, checks small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, holds a spotted skunk just before it is released
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, readies a camera to film release of a spotted skunk
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets a small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets a small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets a small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, resets small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with radio telemetry gear
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with radio telemetry gear
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with radio telemetry gear
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OSU PhD student, Marie Tosa, with small mammal trap
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley (right) prepare to work up a spotted skunk that has been captured in a Tomahawk trap
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley (right) prepare to collect data on a spotted skunk
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley (right) prepare to collect data on a spotted skunk
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OSU PhD student Marie Tosa (left) and field technician Ben Murley prepare to collect data on a spotted skunk
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radio transmitter collar on a spotted skunk, used to track movements within the forest
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researchers check a spotted skunk for ectoparasites like ticks and fleas
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researchers check a spotted skunk for ectoparasites like ticks and fleas
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researchers fit a radio transmitter collar to a spotted skunk
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researchers fit a radio transmitter collar to a spotted skunk
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Researchers inspect spotted skunk for any ectoparasites like ticks and fleas
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researchers inspect spotted skunk for any injuries
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researchers measure the body length of a spotted skunk
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Researchers photograph spotted skunk
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researchers weigh a spotted skunk by gently placing it inside a cloth bag and hanging it from the scale
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small mammal Tomahawk trap set in the forest
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small mammal tomahawk trap set in the forest
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small mammal trap with a spotted skunk inside
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spotted skunk, released from a small mammal trap
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the blur of a spotted skunk exiting from a small mammal trap
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the blur of a spotted skunk exiting from a small mammal trap. They move FAST!
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tree tag in the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest
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