Zoology - Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Warren-use, home range and activity levels in southern hairy nosed wombat, (Lasiorhinus latifrons)
    Finlayson, Graeme R. ( 2002-04)
    This study investigated burrow use, home range and activity levels in the southern hairy nosed wombat (lasiorhinus latifrons), in semi-arid South Australia. Sixteen adult wombats were fitted with radio-transmitters and monitored for approximately eight months, including winter, spring and summer. Data indicated that wombats generally used between one and five warrens and preferred larger warrens with multiple entrances. Animals showed a preference for one or two warrens. Across the study period there was no apparent change in burrow use within warrens. Radio-tracking indicated that animals spent very little time above ground (26% of 1115 fixes) during the study period and that most of their activity was centred around their warrens. Home ranges were estimated using the harmonic mean method from location data, obtained through triangulation and daytime warren fixes. Home ranges were between 1.3 and 4.8 ha however, due to the low activity of wombats, insufficient fixes were obtained to gain a comprehensive estimate of their home ranges. Males and females appeared to have similarly sized home ranges. The home ranges of radio-collared individuals overlapped substantially. The data highlights the importance of warrens to the southern hairy nosed wombats in shaping their foraging ranges. It seems likely that the use of warrens is an important energy saving strategy in the unpredictable arid environment inhabited by this species.