Observations on the behaviour of the marsupial Bettongia lesueri (Quoy & Gaimard) in an enclosure

Abstract

Observations on the behaviour of a small macropod marsupial, Bettongia lesueuri (Quoy & Gaimard), were made at night on two males and six females held in an enclosure of almost ac in area. B. lesueuri is nocturnal and gregarious. The eight animals did not defend territories within the enclosure but divided into two social groups which used much the same area. The males were aggressive towards one another and towards one female in the other's social group. One was dominant over the other. Some evidence was obtained suggesting a hierarchy among the females. The main behaviour patterns and postures are described, including locomotion, resting, grooming, feeding, digging, hay-gathering, aggression, defence, and sexual behaviour.