What is a Camera Trap?
While you might imagine that a camera trap is some sort of bizarre contraption which is designed to capture errant cameras, a camera trap is in fact a camera which is used to photograph wildlife in situ. Camera traps are used to photograph vulnerable wildlife without disturbing them, and they can also be used to capture shy or nocturnal animals on film. Many conservation organizations use camera traps in their work, and some publish the most interesting images so that the general public can take a look. A basic camera trap is very simple. It consists of a camera mounted at an appropriate height and attached to an infrared sensor which activates the camera when it senses an animal passing by. This means, of course, that the camera goes off any time a wild animal passes, and in especially hot climates, a camera trap may malfunction on occasion, photographing random landscapes in response to sudden temperature fluctuations. As a result, going through the images in a camera trap can be rat
A camera trap is simply a camera placed in an area where animals are frequently seen. The camera has a trigger that will snap a photo when an animal comes near. Old, primitive traps used trip wires; today’s traps are more likely to use a motion sensor. Special trail cameras, or trail cams, have been created specifically for this application. They are digital, allowing hundreds of pictures to be taken between checks. Many use infrared flashes to take night pictures without spooking the animals. Preparing Your Personal Wildlife Refuge Putting a trail camera out doesn’t do much good unless you have a way of attracting wildlife. For example, if your goal is to photograph birds, set up a bird feeder on your balcony or patio with a trail camera mounted a few feet away. As the birds gather to feed, the motion will trigger the camera to snap pictures. Check it as often as you like, every day or even every week, and sort through the pictures to keep the best ones. It’s easy to go a step further
