New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Den sharing behaviour of captive brushtail possums (Trichosurus
vulpecula)
T. D. DAY*
C. E. O'CONNOR+
Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Centre
AgResearch Ruakura
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton, New Zealand
email: dayt@agresearch.cri.nz
J. R. WAAS
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton, New Zealand
+Present address: Landcare Research, P.O. Box 69,
Lincoln.
Abstract Den sharing among wild brushtail possums
(Trichosurus vulpecula) has important implications for disease
transmission. This study investigated den sharing in captive possums, and
measured interactions between possums sharing dens. Thirty-four sexually mature
possums (16 female, 18 male) were housed in single-sex or mixed-sex pairs in
large enclosures that contained two dens. Daily patterns of den sharing were
recorded for each pair over a 69 day period in the breeding or non-breeding
season. Social behaviour within shared dens was sampled using miniature
infrared cameras. Male pairs rarely shared dens in the breeding or non-breeding
seasons (4% and 1% of days respectively) and usually engaged in `threats' and
`fights' associated with den defence. Pairs of female possums (in both seasons)
and mixed-sex pairs housed together in the breeding season shared dens most
frequently (between 84% and 91% of days), and also spent the most time together
in dens each night. While sharing dens, affiliative interactions were frequent,
including long periods of `touching', and also `food sharing' and
`allogrooming'. The preference for den sharing and close contact shown by
captive possums highlights the importance of den sharing as a potential route
for disease transmission.
Keywords brushtail possum; Trichosurus vulpecula;
social behaviour; denning; captivity
* Author for correspondence.
Z99038
Received 17
September 1999; accepted 26 January 2000
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (420K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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