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Australian Mammalogy Australian Mammalogy Society
Journal of the Australian Mammal Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Observations of arboreal behaviour in the mainland dusky antechinus (Antechinus mimetes)

Darcy J. Watchorn https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9425-1737 A B C , Kita R. Ashman A B and Dan K. P. Harley A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Zoos Victoria, Wildlife Conservation and Science Department, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Vic. 3777, Australia.

B School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: darcyjwatchorn@gmail.com

Australian Mammalogy 42(2) 226-229 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19022
Submitted: 16 March 2019  Accepted: 26 August 2019   Published: 18 September 2019

Abstract

During camera-trapping surveys for arboreal mammals within Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve we recorded arboreal behaviour in the mainland dusky antechinus, which is typically regarded as a strictly terrestrial species. The species was detected visiting baits positioned ~3.5 m high on trees on 29 occasions, providing additional evidence of arboreal behaviour in the species and further demonstrating the value of camera traps in providing novel insights into animal behaviour.

Additional keywords: animal behaviour, arboreality, camera-trapping, strictly terrestrial.


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