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Adustus Essay

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Australia’s “Native mouse” Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Dasyuromorphia Family: Dasyuridae Species: Antechinus Genus: (Numerous) While they are often mistaken for shrews, mice or rats, Antechinus are in fact one of Australia's native mammals. They are a part of the Dasyuridae family along with species such as the Tasmanian Devil, Quolls and Dunnarts (Myers, P, 2001). There are numerous genera with a wide geographical range across Australia and up into Papua New Guinea (IUCN Red List, 2017). Species of Antechinus include: • Antechinus adustus - Rusty Antechinus • Antechinus agilis - Agile Antechinus • Antechinus bellus - Fawn Antechinus • Antechinus flavipes - Yellow-footed Antechinus • Antechinus godmani - …show more content…

For naturalistic enclosures soil is the best options, especially if wanting to include real plants within the enclosure.
Spatial requirements The minimum area of enclosures is recommended to be 50 x 50 x 50cm for a pair of antechinus. For each additional antechinus added to the enclosure, another 25 x 25cm area of floor space should be added. When it comes to the spatial requirements of nest-boxes, they should be around 10 x 10 x 10cm with a 5cm entrance. Ideal enclosure position Studies such as the one by B. M. McAllen and F. Geiser have shown that the photoperiod antechinus are exposed to can have a significant impact on the timing of their breeding season, therefore it is important to consider this when designing the enclosure and deciding to have either natural or artificial lighting. Additionally, the behaviour of sun basking has been witnessed in both wild and captive populations (Jackson, S., 2007), it is therefore important to provide access to a warming heat source, whether it be natural or artificial. Enclosure furnishings Antechinus are quite active little animals and benefit from furniture they are able to climb and interact with. This may include branches, rocks, hollow logs, climbing branches as well as planted trees and various pants (Jackson, S., 2007). Climate requirements As previously stated, access to a heat source is

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