Observations on the behaviour of the Rufous Hare-wallaby, Lagorchestes hirsutus Gould (Macropodidae: Marsupialia) in captivity.

Abstract

Observations on the behaviour of the Rufous Hare-wallaby Lagorchestes hirsutus were obtained from a captive colony maintained in Alice Springs. This information was used to interpret observations of animals made during field studies in the Tanami Desert. Aspects of the species' behavioural repertoire which were recorded included activity patterns, postures, gaits, interactions, nesting habits and vocalisations. Lagorchestes hirsutus is predominantly nocturnal and its activity patterns and body postures resemble those recorded for other species of small macropods. It appears to be a relatively solitary animal but there was some evidence of social organisation within animals maintained in captivity. Aspects of the sexual and aggressive behaviour of L. hirsutus appear to resemble more closely those of the potoroids than of larger macropodids.