Abstract
12 Potorous tridactylus were imported from Tasmania and the colony derived from them has been maintained for over 4 years. 4 of the 7 imported females reared young, and animals from this and the next (i.e. second) generation animals have also bred. A total of 38 young have been reared. The 3rd generation is still too young to breed. The young become fertile at 8-11 months and reproductive life can extend for at least 4 years. Only 1 young is produced at a time. Immature young are occasionally ejected from the pouch before they are capable of independent existence.
Potorous tridactylus tends to be nervous and nesting boxes into which they may retreat should always be provided. The animals are best kept in breeding pairs. Adult males kept together in cages may fight.
Details of caging, feeding and handling are given and the method of bleeding for cytogenetic studies is described.