Dissertation (MA Natural Resource Management)A study of the species composition, relative abundance and habitat relationships of small mammals was carried out in Dodoma region. A total of 77 sites on the University of Dodoma campus were surveyed for small mammals between December 2013 and March 2014. Small mammals were captured using 4 x 4 x 12 inches Sherman live traps. Seven species were captured. Poisson regression was used to identify habitat variables associated with the capture frequency of small mammals. Logistic regression was used to identify habitat variables associated with the presence or absence of the most common species. Models were developed based on six different habitat variables. The community of small mammals at the University of Dodoma campus was dominated by rodents, which formed 94% of all captures (N = 167). The distribution of the two common small mammal species (Aethomys chrysophilus and Pelomys fallax) was similar (p>0.05). Small mammal abundance varied significantly among the three major habitat types (p<0.0001), with grasslands and sparse thickets supporting higher abundances of small mammals than forest. Aethomys chrysophilus was the most frequently captured species comprising 70.6% of all captures. The best Poisson regression model indicated that the proximity to grassland and low canopy cover were the best predictors of small mammal abundance in the study area (ΔAICc weight = 0.905). Proximity to grassland was the best predictor of presence of both Aethomys chrysophilus (ΔAICc weight= 0.3572), and Pelomys fallax (ΔAICc weight = 0.2358). Management aimed at boosting small mammal populations to sustain populations of local carnivores may seek to maintain grassland openings and edges in forest habitats. Also agricultural pest management for rodents might be aided by reducing grassland habitat around crop fields.