Diet of the Eastern Native-Cat, Dasyurus Viverrinus (Shaw), in Southern Tasmania.

Abstract

New information on the diet of Dasyurus viverrinus from one locality in southern Tasmania is presented. A total of 64 droppings from 41 animals were collected during 3 intervals over 8 months and examined microscopically. Insects constituted the bulk of the diet and occurred in 97% of the droppings. The remains of birds and small mammals were found in 17% of the droppings. All droppings contained similar amounts of plant material. Seasonal changes in the contribution of different species of prey to the diet of native cats are discussed.