Feisty marsupial lives a short, fast life

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is raising awareness of the vital role tree hollows play in local ecosystems as part of its 2025 Year of the Tree Hollow campaign. This month the spotlight is on the Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa), a small, carnivorous marsupial native to the region. Goulburn Broken CMA project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said the nocturnal, tree-dwelling species depends on healthy, connected forests to travel through the treetops in search of nectar, insects, spiders, centipedes and bird eggs. “As a hollow-dependent species, the Brush-tailed Phascogale will use several tree hollows in which to nest and shelter during the day, demonstrating how important tree hollow habitat is in our environment,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said. “The use of several hollows by the one animal is possibly a predator evasion tactic but means the demand for nest hollows is further exacerbated. “Fortunately, where natural hollows no longer exist, the Brush-tailed Phascogale readily uses artificial nest boxes, however nest boxes should not be seen as a solution to the tree hollow problem. "Preserving large old trees and standing dead trees is the first priority.” She said this habitat is often removed for firewood, spelling disaster for the animals that rely on it. Firewood collection should be limited to designated areas to avoid damaging critical habitat. “The Brush-tailed Phascogale leads a short, fast life,” she said. “After mating in late autumn to early winter, the male perishes. “As he is around just one-year-old, this makes the Brush-tailed Phascogale the largest known mammal to die after its first and last breeding season.” The Year of the Tree Hollow is supported by the Victorian Government’s Our Catchments Our Communities program.

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