Camera traps or 'trail cameras' work by detecting a mixture of movement and heat and, when triggered, take a photograph of whatever is in front of the camera at the time. There are now many different types of camera trap available to buy and all have slightly different properties, so choosing a camera trap to buy for the first time can seem a bit overwhelming.

We recommend reading through the "First Time Trailcam Buyers Guide" on trailcampro.com which talks you through exactly what camera traps do and how they do it.

The type of camera trap you buy will depend on the type and quality of images you're aiming to get, and your budget. As well as the first time buyers guide the website trailcampro.com has hundreds of reviews of all different camera traps, so it's worth taking a look to see which one will suit you best!

Here at MammalWeb, we've used lots of different makes and models of camera traps over the last few years and found that they all have their own positives and negatives. For high quality photographs we find Reconyx camera trap models, such as the Hyperfire HC500, to be amongst the best, as well as being easy to use and long-lasting. However, they do come at the higher end of the price spectrum! For a lower price, the new Browning Strike Force HD Pro is also a great option with good picture quality, fast trigger speeds and a long battery life.

Whichever model of camera trap you choose to buy, Perdix Wildlife Supplies is a UK-based business that offer good prices on a lot of models. If you shop there, mention that you are associated with MammalWeb; Dave will give you a good price as a result!

If you are looking for a cheaper camera trap, note that many in the £40-£60 range receive good reviews on Amazon.

If you need anymore help or advice on buying your own camera trap, do not hesitate to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.