The behaviour and environmental enrichment of captive mahogany gliders (Petaurus gracilis)

Abstract

The mahogany glider is an endangered native marsupial of northern Queensland, Australia. A captive population of seven females and three males was established under a recovery plan for this species to provide progeny for release into the wild. This study aimed to investigate the behaviour of mixed-sex and all-female pairs in this population and determine whether behaviour useful for survival in the wild could be stimulated by environmental-enrichment programs. Gliders spent 56% of their time in their nest box and were essentially nocturnal, except for emerging at 1300 hours when food was offered. They were unresponsive to enrichment programs designed to encourage climbing and play, but increased foraging in response to enrichments designed to stimulate feeding behaviour and increase safety from predators. Females kept in same-sex pairs spent more time climbing than those in mixed-sex pairs. In the latter, males spent more time than females stationary and staring, suggesting vigilance, with less active time outside the nest box. Paternal nurturing behaviour was observed for the first time in this species, and this suggests a dominant caring role for males in this species. Copulation was also observed for the first time, but there was no evidence of courtship. It is concluded that the enrichments designed to stimulate foraging activity were successful, and that males played a major role in the rearing of young in this species, which needs to be recognised in managing captive populations.

Growth and development of the Mahogany Glider (Petaurus gracilis)

“…The gliders were paired based on genetic suitability as assessed by a SPARKS studbook (Single Population Analysis and Records Keeping System software version 1.5, 2005, International Species Information System now ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Software) for Studbooks by Species 360). Further details of the animals used and the diet and husbandry provided can be found within Muller, Ensabella, Booth, Johnston, and Phillips ().…”

“…Each enclosure was 3.5 m wide × 6.5 m long × 4.0 m high (Whiteford & Booth, ). Each glider was provided with a wooden nest box that was 24 cm × 24 cm × 34 cm high with the entrance comprising a 100 mm PVC pipe, with a bend to minimize light entry (Muller et al, ). Each nest box was equipped with a bullet camera with Muller et al, infrared lights and 24 hr monitoring that utilized Skyview® (Skyview Electronics, Brooklin, Ontario, Canada) security software.…”

“…Each glider was provided with a wooden nest box that was 24 cm × 24 cm × 34 cm high with the entrance comprising a 100 mm PVC pipe, with a bend to minimize light entry (Muller et al, ). Each nest box was equipped with a bullet camera with Muller et al, infrared lights and 24 hr monitoring that utilized Skyview® (Skyview Electronics, Brooklin, Ontario, Canada) security software. The general husbandry requirements are similar to those described for Sugar Gliders ( Petaurus breviceps ) and Squirrel Gliders (Jackson, ), except that Mahogany Gliders live as pairs rather than in polygynous colonies.…”

Petaurus gracilis (Diprotodontia: Petauridae)

“…This was followed by the addition of several more animals (Muller et al 2010). This species readily adapts to captivity and breeds consistently, resulting in the population reaching 11 males and 7 females by 2004 at David Fleay Wildlife Park (Muller et al 2010). P. gracilis is a relatively easy species to maintain in captivity with its husbandry being similar to that required for other petaurid gliders, especially the squirrel glider (Jackson 2003).…”

“…This was followed by the addition of several more animals (Muller et al 2010). This species readily adapts to captivity and breeds consistently, resulting in the population reaching 11 males and 7 females by 2004 at David Fleay Wildlife Park (Muller et al 2010).…”