Chapter 1: Introduction To Animal Speed In the world of wildlife control, understanding your adversaries is paramount. It's not just about knowing their habits and habitats; it's also about grasping their physical capabilities. How fast can they move when they're on the run? In this episode of "Living the Wildlife," we're delving into a fascinating study from 1954 that sheds light on the top speeds of various small mammals. Hosted by Steven Vantassel, a Wildlife Control Consultant with a wealth of experience, this podcast aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical pest control techniques. When it comes to managing wildlife conflicts, knowledge is power. Professionals in the field need a comprehensive understanding of the animals they're dealing with to ensure effective and humane solutions. This episode seeks to unravel an intriguing aspect of wildlife behavior—their speed. By the end, you'll not only appreciate the diversity in animal velocities but also recognize the practical implications this knowledge has for wildlife control strategies. Chapter 2: The Host and the Show Before we dive into the fascinating world of animal speeds, let's take a moment to get better acquainted with our host, Steven Vantassel. He's not just a wildlife control expert; he's also your guide to the "Living the Wildlife" podcast. As part of the Pest Geek podcast family, this show is dedicated to disseminating knowledge about vertebrate pest control. But what sets this podcast apart? It's not just about offering quick tips for trapping or repelling critters. While those topics do make appearances, "Living the Wildlife" takes a deeper dive. It ventures into scientific territory, exploring studies, research findings, and other aspects of wildlife control that often go unexplored. This podcast isn't just about doing the job; it's about doing it smarter, more ethically, and more effectively. Chapter 3: The Fascinating Study Now, let's delve into the heart of this episode—the intriguing study conducted in 1954 by James N. Lane and Allan H. Benton, titled "Some Speeds of Small Mammals." This research was no simple endeavor. Its goal was straightforward: determine how fast various small mammals can run under stress-inducing conditions. Imagine these researchers setting up experiments in the field, capturing animals, and then coaxing them into a race of sorts. It wasn't a typical race, of course. Instead, they sought to measure the distances these animals could cover in specific timeframes. This process allowed them to calculate the animals' speeds, providing valuable insights into their physical capabilities. Chapter 4: Speed Demons and Tortoises The study examined a diverse range of animals, from the lightning-fast big brown bat, which can reach nearly 11 miles per hour, to the slow-moving northern short-tailed shrew, which barely hits 2 miles per hour. In between, there's a spectrum of speeds that wildlife control professionals might find surprising. Gray and red squirrels, for instance, displayed impressive speeds, with the gray squirrel topping out at a remarkable 13 miles per hour. It's essential to note that these speeds aren't sustained over long distances; they represent short bursts of velocity. Nevertheless, these findings shed light on the considerable variation in animal speeds, providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of wildlife behavior. Chapter 5: Practical Applications Understanding the speed capabilities of different animals is not just trivia; it's a practical consideration in wildlife control. Armed with this knowledge, professionals can better strategize their approach to managing and capturing these animals. For instance, knowing the swift pace of a gray squirrel might influence trap placement and bait choices. If you understand that a particular species can cover a certain distance in a short amount of time, you can position traps strategically to maximize your ...