The behaviour of an arid zone dasyurid, the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger), in captivity

Understanding behaviour of threatened animal species is an important component of conservation. This study assessed video and recorded data collected on a historical captive population of kultarrs (Antechinomys laniger) to describe their behaviour in captivity. The kultarr, a small marsupial in the Dasyuridae family, is native to central Australia. It is categorised as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species with its population assessed as decreasing. Here, we describe some key behaviours displayed by kultarrs in captivity, including grooming, nest building and use of shelter, predatory and feeding behaviour, and social behaviour. Gaining an understanding of kultarr behaviour in captivity will enhance and improve captive management of the species and provide insights into how kultarrs may behave in the wild.