Observations of the Behaviour of the Rufous Rat-Kangaroo, Aepyprymnus rufescens (Gray), in Capativity

Abstract

Observations of the behaviour of a small macropod marsupial, A. rufescens, were made at night on two males and five females in an enclosure. They were nocturnal and during the day returned to grass nests. Males were extremely aggressive to one another while females were more tolerant of each other. Animals were not active for the entire night. Behavioural patterns that were recorded included posture, gaits, comfort movements, grooming, nest building, feeding, marking behaviour, exploratory behaviour, interactions, vocalizations and sounds, activity rhythm, general reproductive behaviour and homosexual behaviour.