In this study, we examined the influence of body size and circadian activity of wildlife species on their detection probability using camera traps, with the aim of improving the reliability of population density estimates. Fieldwork was conducted in the Menišija area between February 2023 and March 2024, where 97 research plots were established. In total, nearly 250,000 images were collected. Animals were classified into three body size categories based on shoulder height: small (<50 cm), medium (50–100 cm), and large (>100 cm), and we analyzed their distance from the camera and detection relative to time of day. We conducted statistical analyses using non-parametric tests and linear models in R, including comparisons of aggregated and non-aggregated data. Results showed that body size significantly affects detectability; large animals were detected at greater distances than medium and small animals. Differences between day and night detections were less pronounced than the effect of body size, indicating that the circadian rhythm primarily influences detectability indirectly through behavioral and spatial factors. The findings highlight the need to correct detectability based on body size and behavioral traits to obtain more reliable density estimates. This study contributes to improving camera-trapping methodologies and understanding biological and technical limitations in assessing population parameters of wildlife species.
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