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The behaviour of an arid zone dasyurid, the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) in captivity

Hayley Stannard , Lisa Goodchild, Julie Old

Abstract

Understanding animal behaviour of threatened species is an important component of conservation. This study assessed video and recorded data collected on a historical captive population of kultarrs to describe their behaviour in captivity. The kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), a small marsupial in the Dasyuridae family, is native to central Australia. The kultarr is categorised as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with its population assessed as decreasing. Here we describe some key behaviours displayed by kultarrs in captivity, including grooming, nest building and use of shelter, predatory and feeding behaviour, and social behaviour. Gaining an understanding of kultarr behaviour in captivity will enhance and improve captive management of the species and provide insights into how kultarrs may behave in the wild.

AM24024  Accepted 18 December 2024

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