In a high-elevation marsh in the eastern Sierra, student researchers successfully trapped the elusive Mount Lyell shrew, a species never photographed alive before. Despite harsh conditions and a tight schedule, they baited 150 pitfall traps and monitored them closely, capturing five shrews within a day. The students documented their findings through photos and genetic sampling. This tiny creature, barely 4 inches long, is of special concern due to climate change threats to its habitat. The shrew's previous absence from living studies highlights the groundbreaking nature of this research effort.
Holding one of the Mount Lyell shrews in his hand, Prakrit Jain marveled at its small size and lightness, stating it felt very different from handling a mouse or a hamster.
The Mount Lyell shrew is considered a species of special concern due to threats from the climate crisis, with its existence tied to fragile high-altitude ecosystems.
Despite the initial skepticism of their chances, within the first 24 hours, the student scientists successfully captured and studied five elusive Mount Lyell shrews.
These young scientists faced the daunting challenge of capturing and studying the Mount Lyell shrew, the only known California mammal never photographed alive, in a tight timeframe.
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