Go to the Traps and Trapping Equipment buying guide for more information on other gear you need for trapping animals.

Go to the go to the Sample Tubes buying guide for more information on what tubes to buy if you are collecting samples, like ear punches or scat.

Microchips & Microchip Readers

Microchipping is a highly invasive technique and done poorly can result in severe injury or even death to an animal.  Proper training and endorsement by a qualified practitioner is essential.

Microchips Australia is the main supplier of Trovan Microchips, which are the most common brand of microchips and microchip scanners used for Australian wildlife.

The microchips come in different types and sizes, depending on the animal. For medium-sized mammals, we recommend you use Trovan ID100B (1.4) FDXA Midichip. Choose between:

•  “all-in-one” pack with a disposable implanter, needle and transponder device
• “needle only format” with a disposable needle and transponder device and a reusable implanter to reduce plastic waste.

You will also need to buy a sharps disposal container from your local chemist/pharmacy.

There are several different microchip readers available (such as LID560, LID573, LID574 and LID575 models). There is a comparison chart on the website for comparing the different models. To decide between the models, consider:

• cost
• ability to store microchip numbers
• ability to recharge versus swap out batteries
• distance that the microchip number can be read from

Weighing scales

Weighing scales are used to take fine-scale weight measurements. You can purchase either digital scales or spring scales. Spring scales can be more difficult to read but don’t require batteries.

If you’re using a spring scale, buy scales with:

• a hook (not clip)
• several different weight limits (e.g. 2.5kg, 1kg and 300g)

Pesola Precision is a common brand for weighing scales in Australia. They can be purchased online through a number of different retailers including geological survey suppliers.

Calipers

Calipers are used to take fine-scale measurements such as foot or head length.  When buying calipers, consider:

• cost,
• quality of the product,
• digital, dial or vernier calipers, 
• correct size (150mm).

Calipers can be purchased online or in person from a number of different brands and retailers including tool shops, auto shops and geological survey suppliers.

Digital calipers are easier to read than vernier calipers but they don’t work in the rain. Dial calipers are easier to read than vernier, still work when wet, and plastic ones are relatively cheap and have less potential to injure animals because they don’t have sharp metal points.

Ear punches

The type of instrument you need to take a genetic sample from the ear depends on the type and size of animal you are sampling. It may be appropriate to use sharp surgical/first aid scissors to trim a small sample. An ear punch instrument is used for most small to medium-sized mammals, including:

• scissor-style
• thumb-style
• plier-style

No matter which type of instrument you use, always make sure that they are clean (disinfected) and sharp.

Ear punches can be purchased from scientific or surgical suppliers like Able Scientific

Animal first aid equipment

Adhesive stretch tape

Image: biomedsuppliers.com

Adhesive stretch tape is commonly used for re-pouching pouch young. It is flexible and breathable, sticks to animal fur and can easily be groomed off by the animal.

Fixomull stretch tape is a common brand of adhesive tape used in mammal trapping. It can be bought at your local chemist/pharmacy.

Wound treatment

Images: medicalsolution.com.au, petbarn.com.au, thevetshed.com.au

Saline solution, Betadine solution and Cetrigen wound spray are commonly kept in trapping kits to treat cuts, scrapes and other superficial wounds on animals. Saline solution (0.9%) or diluted Betadine (1%) is used to flush/clean wounds. Cetrigen and diluted Betadine (1%) are antibacterial treatments used on wounds to prevent infections. 

Saline solution and Betadine can be bought at your local chemist/warehouse. Cetrigen wound spray can be bought from pet, stock or vet supply shops.

Disposable gloves

Disposable gloves are useful to keep in trapping kits in case you need to handle an animal with wounds, infections or diseases, or cover a wound on your hands. Nitrile gloves are preferred over latex gloves because nitrile is stronger and some people have allergic reactions to latex.

Buy boxes of different sized gloves (Small, Medium, Large) from your local chemist/pharmacy.