Australian Museum Mammals

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Mammals

Mammals > Resources

FAQs

The Museum receives many enquiries from the public each year concerning mammals. Enquiries from the public have often lead to important discoveries such as previously undescribed species, extensions in the range of existing species or, in very rare instances, to the rediscovery of species once thought to be extinct (as in the case of the Bridled Nailtail Wallaby, (Onychogalea fraenata) rediscovered by a grazier on his property in central Queensland).

I have found a dead mammal. What should I do with it?

From time to time a member of the public will find a dead animal or part of an animal such as a skull or skeleton. State museums are interested in acquiring specimens of a range of mammal species, particularly uncommon species although they may also take good specimens (well preserved or fresh) of some common species.

Specimens should be placed in sealed plastic bags and frozen. Important information such as the date the specimen was found and its location should be recorded as well as the collector's name and method of collection (e.g. found dead, killed on the road, killed by cat). Staff in the Mammal section can be contacted to determine if the specimen is appropriate to include in the collection. Arrangements can then be made for its donation to the Museum.

It should be noted however, that it is illegal to possess dead native mammals or parts of mammals such as skulls, skeletons or teeth without a licence from the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). It is permitted to hold such specimens provided they are in the process of being transferred to a museum. Specimens can also be taken to the nearest NPWS office, as staff will often arrange for specimens to be transferred to the Museum. Specimens collected in one state should not be taken interstate without the correct permits.

I saw an unusual mammal who should I contact?

The Australian Museum holds collections of mammal specimens and maintains a database of information associated with these specimens. It does not record individual sightings of mammals as such, however sightings of rare species or those outside their normal range are of interest to the Museum. Museum staff can assist in identifying the particular species seen and provide information about them.

Government Wildlife agencies like the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Parks and Wildlife Victoria and Environment Australia are also interested in the location of native mammal sightings. These agencies maintain databases of mammal distribution records and can be contacted concerning the type of information required and the way in which the information can be lodged.

The NPWS has developed the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. This database of nearly a million records is based on information from a range of sources including sightings made by the general public. Records can be submitted by contacting the NPWS directly (ph: 02 9585 6444) or sent electronically by completing a spreadsheet from the website: http://www/npws.nsw.gov.au/wildlife/licence/extdata.xls

I have found a skull and some bones. Can you identify them?

The Mammal section receives many enquiries each year concerning objects people have found that may be part of a mammal such as a skull, jaw, tooth or bone. A good place to start identifying a skull or other bone you may have found is the search & discover section at the Australian Museum. Either send the specimen in or bring it in yourself to compare with items in their collection.

Another useful reference is the book by Barbara Triggs (1996) Tracks, scats and other traces (Oxford University Press, Melbourne). This book has photographs of the skulls, lower jaws and humeri from a range of Australian native and introduced mammals and lists key features to look for that will help to identify them. If you do find a skull or skeleton of a native mammal read the FAQ above I have found a dead mammal. What should I do with it?

The Photo Gallery has images of some commonly found animals showing key features that may help to identify them.

I have found an injured mammal. What should I do?

Each year thousands of native mammals are injured by colliding with cars, being attacked by domestic pets such as cats and dogs or through burns or smoke inhalation caused during bushfires. With appropriate care many of these injured animals can be rehabilitated back into the wild.

Native mammals are often difficult to handle and are easily stressed. It is important to handle them as little as possible. If you find an injured native mammal follow the steps below and then contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you live in New South Wales you can contact WIRES (Wildlife Information and Rescue Service) who will organise to collect the animal, arrange veterinary help, foster care if needed and eventual release back to the wild. If you live outside New South Wales contact a veterinarian or the local parks and wildlife service.

First Aid

  1. Remove the animal to a safe place provided there is no threat to your own safety (from cars, the animal attacking or from potential disease transfer).
  2. Place a towel, blanket or jumper over the animal (being careful to avoid injury to yourself from bites or scratches) and gently place it in a box. Place it in a quiet place and disturb as little as possible to reduce stress.
  3. Contact the local wildlife rescue organisation or vet.

Contacts

Further information

I am interested in mammals. What clubs or societies can I join?

Is it a good idea to feed possums that come into my garden?

Feeding native wildlife is generally not recommended, and in the case of possums can cause a number of problems. Artificial feeding is likely to affect their health and alter their natural feeding behaviour causing them to become dependent. It can also cause possums to become a nuisance when they enter homes looking for food. A much better option if you would like to attract native animals to your garden is to plant native plants that provide food as well as increase shelter and nesting sites. Another way to attract possums (or to get them out of the roof) is to construct a possum box.

More information about living with possums visit: http://www.wires.au.com/careresc/faq.htm or
Walraven, E. (1999) Care of Australian Wildlife New Holland Publishers (Australia). 140pp.

I have found some diggings in my garden. Are these from a native mammal?

Most native Australian mammals are nocturnal and many are difficult to see. However, they do often leave signs of their presence such as distinctive droppings or diggings. In some places residents often find distinctive conical shaped diggings in their garden. If you have these diggings in your yard and you live in areas of eastern Australia with natural bush nearby, even in some Sydney suburbs such as Frenchs Forest, Terry Hills, Turramurra and the Northern Beaches, you may have bandicoots in your yard. These rabbit-sized (and charismatic) native marsupials are omnivores and feed on a range of insects, other invertebrates and plant material that they obtain by digging with their forefeet. Contrary to popular opinion there is little evidence of bandicoots being responsible for the spread of disease. While bandicoots do get ticks, which are known to carry Lymes disease, the ticks are also found on domestic animals such as dogs and cats as well as foxes and even some reptiles. Bandicoots are a protected species and are beneficial to gardens. They eat a range of invertebrates such as cockroaches as well as aerating the soil through their digging activities.

I found a dead dolphin on the beach recently. Would it have died at sea or stranded alive and died later?

A variety of different species of whales and dolphins (known as cetaceans) strand on New South Wales beaches each year. Many of these are animals that have died at sea (from old age, disease, collision with boats) and are washed ashore. At other times single animals or groups of animals come in to shore alive and then beach themselves. Some species, usually offshore ones, do this more frequently than others.

It is not known exactly why cetaceans 'live' strand although there are a range of possible explanations including changes in the earth's magnetic field which causes them to become disorientated, brain infections, parasites, pollution, storms and geological changes resulting in migration pathways becoming inaccessible.

The Australian Museum collects a range of cetacean species that have died on the New South Wales coast each year, and adds these to the research collection. Almost 100 specimens from around 25 different cetacean species have been entered into the Museum's collections in the last 20 years. The most frequently recorded species are the Common Dolphin, (Delphinus delphis), Bottlenose Dolphin, (Tursiops truncatus) and Pygmy Sperm Whale, (Kogia breviceps).

For more information on strandings go to the Cetacean FAQs.

I saw a rat in my suburban garden, is it a native or introduced species?

The museum receives many enquiries each year concerning the identity of rats seen around suburban gardens or houses. In most cases, this rat turns out to be the Black Rat, (Rattus rattus), a widespread, introduced species that is commonly found in agricultural or urban areas around the Australian coast. This species is fairly easily identified by its characteristically long tail (longer than the body length) and excellent climbing ability. Black individuals are very rare and the species is generally grey-brown in colour often with a cream, white or yellowish underbelly. It has longer ears (the ears stretch forward to cover the eye) than other Australian rats it is most often confused with and is generally quite placid.

Another introduced rat species that often turns up in urban areas is the Brown Rat, (Rattus norvegicus). This species has similar colouring to the Black Rat but differs in having shorter ears, a thicker, shorter and more scaly tail and a more solid build. They tend to be more aggressive than brown rats, are rarely seen above ground level and are less widespread.

Two native rodent species can still be found in the Sydney region although they are less common than the introduced ones. One species the Bush Rat, (Rattus fuscipes) is found in national parks, reserves or other areas of native bushland surrounding Sydney while the other, the Water Rat, (Hydromys chrysogaster,) occurs in some parts of the harbour and other waterways. The Bush Rat can be distinguished from the Black Rat by its shorter tail (less than the length of the body) and from the Brown Rat by its longer ears, longer softer fur, less scaly tail and slighter build. The Water Rat is easily recognised by its dark sleek coat, long thick tail usually with a white tip, its small ears and particularly by its webbed hindfeet.

For more information go to Is it a Black Rat?
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/rattus.htm

There are flying foxes feeding in my yard. Do they pose a disease risk?

Flying fox colonies are sometimes found close to human settlements and under most circumstances they pose no threat to humans if left alone. However, a rabies related virus known as Australian Bat Lyssavirus has been detected in some Australian bats and has resulted in the deaths of two people since 1996. Infection in humans is extremely rare, however, the virus is transmitted through either a bite or scratch from an infected bat or by splashes of infected blood or urine into a persons eyes or nose.

For this reason, bats (particularly sick or injured ones) should not be handled unless the person is fully inoculated against rabies. If you do find a sick bat call the local wildlife care group or contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service. If a bite or scratch should occur from a bat it is recommended that the wound be washed thoroughly with soap and water for about five minutes and a doctor be contacted immediately so that a rabies vaccination can be given. If possible the bat should be collected for testing but this should done by someone already inoculated against the disease.

Lyssavirus cannot be transmitted simply by handling bats or through urine or faeces contacting the skin as the virus must pass directly into exposed tissue, nerves or mucous membranes. People at risk of being bitten by bats such as bat carers or researchers, wildlife officers, cavers, indigenous people who may catch and eat bats, veterinary staff and power line workers should undergo a series of three rabies vaccinations.

Another disease carried by a small percentage of some species of flying foxes is equine morbillivirus. Three people and several horses have died from this disease although there is no evidence that it can be transmitted directly from bats to humans.

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Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003


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