Response of Lumholtz’ Tree-Kangaroos (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) to Odours from Native Arboreal and Introduced Terrestrial Predators: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

One main threat to the arboreal Lumholtz’ tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) in north-eastern tropical Australia is fatal attacks by introduced predators such as the domestic dog. When threatened by a predator, tree-kangaroos descend from the canopy and flee on the ground. This preliminary study reports the behaviours of two captive female tree-kangaroos towards odour cues from a native arboreal predator, a python, and an introduced, terrestrial predator, a dog. When exposed to both types of predator odour, the females reduced the duration of their movements while increasing the duration of sniffing. The results indicate that Lumholtz’ tree-kangaroos are able to detect predator odours. However, subjects did not show clear differences in their responses to the two different predator odours. Variations in the responses between the two subjects suggest that predator experience may play a role in the behaviour of this species.