Maternal and juvenile behaviour in the marsupial jerboa, Antechinomys spenceri (Dasyuridae).

Abstract

Observations were made on the development of a litter of Antechinomys spenceri, and on the behaviour of these young and their mother. lnfanthood can be divided into four natural periods which are distinguished on the basis of sensory and motor capacities, important mother-young interactions, and patterns of social behaviour. These are described and a comparison is made with other dasyurid marsupials.