The behaviour of marsupials III. The shortnosed bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus (Peramelidae), in the open field.

Abstract

Four male and four female shortnosed bandicoots (lsoodon macrourus) were tested in an open field apparatus on three separate occasions, 48 hours apart. Female bandicoots were significantly more active than males. There were no significant sex differences in frequency of defaecation, urination, or grooming. Between test days 1 and 3 activity in the open field decreased while rate of defaecation increased. Correlation tests showed a positive relationship between the rate of defaecation and incidence of grooming. The findings indicated similarities and differences in the exploratory behaviour of the omnivorous marsupial bandicoot and the commonly investigated omnivorous eutherian laboratory rat.