NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE TASMANIAN DORMOUSE PHALANGERS CERCAERTUS NANUS (DESMAREST) AND EUDROMICIA LEPIDA (THOMAS)

The conditions under which specimens of the Tasmanian dormouse phalangers, Cercaertus nanus and Eudromicia lepida , were found in the field are described. Brief descriptions and measurements of the animals are given. The activity and dormancy of the two species kept in captivity were investigated daily over a twelve month period. There was no prolonged hibernation. Activity and dormancy alternated throughout the year, the longest period of dormancy in the case of C. nanus being twelve days and in the case of E. lepida six days. The body temperature of each species during dormancy was about equal to the air temperature. A dormant specimen of C. nanus having a body temperature of 12.5°C. took three hours to become fully active, when roused from dormancy. During this period the body temperature rose to 31°C. In the same way a dormant specimen of E. lepida having a body temperature of 17°C. required three hours and forty minutes to become fully active, its body temperature rising to 32°C. The food and feeding habits of both species were studied, and found to be much the same. Insects were preferred but spiders, dead scorpions and even lizards were readily accepted. The flowers of Eucalyptus and Banksia were pulled to pieces but not eaten. During periods of activity the daily food consumption amounted to about seven per cent of the body‐weight of the animal in each case. The composition of an artificial food on which the animals thrived is given.