If footprints lead to a burrow, how can you test whether the burrow is active?

If footprints lead to a burrow, how can you test whether the burrow is active?

• A. Fill the burrow opening with newspaper and cover with loose soil
• B. Bait the burrow with poison
• C. Seal the burrow with concrete
• D. Block the burrow entrance with rock

Answer: (A)

To determine if a burrow is being used, temporarily block the entrance with newspaper and cover it with loose soil. Leave it for a day and then check for disturbance. If the newspaper is moved, soil has been pushed up, or the hole has been reopened, that shows the burrow is active and being used by a animal. If nothing changes, the burrow may be inactive. This method is useful because it directly tests whether an occupant can still enter the burrow, giving a quick read on occupancy without using poisons or permanent alterations. Baiting with poison doesn’t tell you about current activity and risks harming non-target wildlife and the environment. Sealing with concrete or blocking with rock would just quarantine or deter for now and can cause safety issues or complications without revealing whether the space is active.

To determine if a burrow is being used, temporarily block the entrance with newspaper and cover it with loose soil. Leave it for a day and then check for disturbance. If the newspaper is moved, soil has been pushed up, or the hole has been reopened, that shows the burrow is active and being used by a animal. If nothing changes, the burrow may be inactive.

This method is useful because it directly tests whether an occupant can still enter the burrow, giving a quick read on occupancy without using poisons or permanent alterations. Baiting with poison doesn’t tell you about current activity and risks harming non-target wildlife and the environment. Sealing with concrete or blocking with rock would just quarantine or deter for now and can cause safety issues or complications without revealing whether the space is active.