The roles of vision and vibrissae in the predatory behaviour of Northern Quolls Dasyurus hallucatus (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae).

Abstract

The predatory behavior of captive quolls (n= 13) on mice was videotaped and analysed . The role of vision was studied by comparing the behaviours of fully blind, and one-eyed quolls to fully sighted ones. The role of tactile inputs via the vibrissae was studied by vibrissae amputation in both fully blind and fully sighted quolls. The data indicated that vision plays a role in both locating and attacking prey, although in its absence, other sensory stimuli can be substituted. Vibrissae were found to play a role in orienting the attack, although in their absence, either visual or more direct tactile contact (eg, nose or forepaws) could be substituted for this function. Once the mice were bitten, neither vision nor vibrissae appeared to be involved in orienting the prey for delivery of the killing bite.