Lactational Energetics of a Marsupial Carnivore, the Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus)

Abstract

The rates of milk consumption by young of the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), a polytocous medium- sized marsupial carnivore, were estimated by means of the ²²Na-turnover technique. The mean individual daily rate of milk consumption at seven weeks of age was 0·6 mL, which increased to a peak of 16 mL at about 14 weeks, when the young weighed 130 g. The total amount of milk energy delivered to each young from birth to the commencement of weaning was 4·1 MJ. The digestible energy intake of lactating quolls (± s.d.), 740 ± 117 kJ kg^-1 day^-1, was nearly double that of non-lactating quolls, 333 ± 75 kJ kg^-1 day^-1. With such high energy demands during lacation, it is unlikely that a complete litter of six could be successfully reared unless prey are abundant.