Thursday, October 12, 2006

Rat challenge

Design a portable, lightweight, weather-proof, durable, effective implement for tracking the presence of rodents for an outdoor setting. We will test it at school, then try to use it in then bush. Perhaps we could set some up in patches of native bush around Hamilton...? [Is there a suitable one nearby?]
Why do we need something like this? Well, since we know rats and mice are pests in the NZ bush ecosystem, we need to be able to reliably work out whether or not they are present if we are to reintroduce endangered native species.
What other creatures might we want to check for? Any ideas for tracking stations for those animals? Think about their ecological niches and how you would best test for their presence.
i.e. Would you test for things that eat native fish up trees?

6 comments:

laffydaffy said...

there is the claudlands bush walk possibly...

MrWoody said...

good idea - and it's so close!
it's also a bush under threat from pests and human destruction.

MrWoody said...

dan - we should use your gully too - but you should also rethink your sentence - is it complete?
8>)

MrWoody said...

dan - i meant your sentence about the rats in your gully. re-read it.
as for trying thing sout - definitely!!!
8>)

MrWoody said...

very interesting thinking, dan - how would it measure the weight,record it and survive the weather, animals, etc.?

i like you're thinking...

MrWoody said...

marvellous idea, sugasweet. maybe it will even work without the peanut butter.
well done!