Patterns of breeding in the long-nosed potoroo revealed by camera trapping in northern New South Wales

Abstract

The breeding pattern of the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) has not been described in the north of its geographic range. Long-nosed potoroos were continuously monitored at eight camera sites on the New England Tableland in northern New South Wales over a 17-month period. Evidence of breeding relied on detecting females with pouch bulges and young-at-foot. Breeding occurred throughout the year but pouch bulges were more commonly seen in May and October than in other months. Females produced two to four young per site, equating to 2.1 per year. This study has demonstrated the great potential of using camera trapping to describe aspects of the breeding pattern in a cryptic marsupial.