Diet of Petaurus breviceps (Marsupialia: Petauridae) in a mosaic of coastal woodland and heath.

Abstract

Diet of Petaurus breviceps in a coastal woodland and heath mosaic was assessed by timed feeding observations and qualitative faecal analysis. Feeding at banksia and eucalypt flowers was the most observed foraging behaviour. Faeces contained abundant pollen. The pattern of foraging closely followed changes in patterns of flowering in the area because P. breviceps regularly visited flowers for nectar and pollen. It fed at a faster rate per flower when foraging on eucalypts, but had a high number of inter-plant movements when foraging on banksias. Seventy-one per cent of Eucalyptus gummifera trees were incised to obtain sap. Values obtained for sap flow showed that incised trees exuded more sap than non-incised ones. Gum was abundant at Jervis Bay, and sap may be utilised when nectar is abundant.