Fauna Spotters logo

Central Short-tailed Mouse (Leggadina forresti)

The Central Short-tailed Mouse is a small, nocturnal native rodent of arid and semi-arid inland Australia. It uses tussock grasslands, chenopod shrublands, mulga and savannah woodlands, claypans and sandy ridges, so clearing, grazing, fire and ground disturbance can remove both food and daytime shelter.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Breeding activity is highest in winter and spring, with some autumn breeding. Exact birth dates, dispersal timing and the duration of dependence are not well documented, so the calendar below is a practical risk guide rather than a site-specific breeding record.

Month values are Jan to Dec: 0 not typical or not documented, 1 occurs or may occur, 2 peak or highest risk. The calendar should be adjusted where local rainfall has triggered breeding outside the usual period.

  • Breeding: Breeding peaks in winter and spring, with some breeding in autumn, and is associated with rainfall.
  • Young: Gestation is about 35 days and young are weaned after about 28 days. Dependent young may therefore occur during and after the main winter to spring breeding period.
  • Foraging and sheltering: The species is nocturnal and shelters by day in shallow burrows, grass nests and soil cracks. No seasonal inactivity period is documented.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest during the winter to spring breeding period and while dependent young may be present. Clearing at any time can remove shallow burrows, grass nests, food and ground cover.

Identification

This is a small, thickset mouse with a conspicuously short tail and a broad, blunt muzzle. It is most likely to be detected at night, or by its shallow burrows, grass nests and use of soil cracks.

Adults usually weigh 15 to 25 g, although individuals to 30 g have been recorded. The tail is short, thick and about 60 to 70 percent of the combined head and body length.

The upper fur is short, thick and lustrous, ranging from pale yellowish brown to greyish fawn with darker hairs. The lower jaw, chin and feet are white. The ears are relatively small, rounded and pinkish grey, and the eyes are also relatively small.

Build: Thickset body with a short, broad muzzle

Tail: Short and thick, 60 to 70 percent of head and body length

Weight: 15 to 25 g, occasionally to 30 g

Identification: Similar species

The main similar species is the Northern Short-tailed Mouse, Leggadina lakedownensis. The Central Short-tailed Mouse is the inland species, while L. lakedownensis occurs in northern Australia, including moist tussock grassland and tropical savannah.

Small Pseudomys species can also resemble Leggadina. Dental and skull characters are used for reliable separation, including the larger accessory cusp on the first upper molar and the reduced third molar in Leggadina. These features are not suitable for field identification of a live animal.

Identification: Field signs and detection

Day shelters are grass nests in shallow burrows, possibly at the base of spinifex tussocks, and cracks in the soil. These signs may be found in tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, claypans and sandy habitats.

The supplied sources do not provide diagnostic information on tracks, scats, calls or eyeshine. Do not identify the species from a burrow or nest alone. Use a captured or photographed animal, or appropriate genetic or skull-based confirmation, where species-level certainty is required.

  • Inspect the bases of intact tussocks, shallow soil depressions and natural cracks without collapsing or filling potential shelters.
  • Record grass nests, burrow entrances, soil cracks and nearby vegetation structure before any clearing or earthworks.
  • Treat small nocturnal rodents in suitable inland habitat as potential Central Short-tailed Mice until an ecologist confirms the identification.

Distribution: National range

The Central Short-tailed Mouse is widespread but sparsely distributed across inland Australia. Records span several states and territories, but the species generally occurs at low density and its population size is not known.

The range extends from eastern Western Australia across inland South Australia and the Northern Territory to central Queensland. In Queensland it has been recorded east to Rolleston. The species also occurs in inland New South Wales.

The supplied sources do not provide a complete state by state occurrence dataset or an elevation range.

  • Western Australia: inland and arid areas.
  • South Australia: inland arid areas, including the Lake Eyre region.
  • Northern Territory: central and southern inland areas.
  • Queensland: inland areas to Rolleston.
  • New South Wales: north-western NSW, including Sturt National Park, Tibooburra, Fowler's Gap, Wilcannia, Ledknapper Nature Reserve and Culgoa National Park.

Distribution: Bioregions and known areas in New South Wales

NSW records and predicted habitat occur across the Broken Hill Complex, Channel Country, Darling Riverine Plains, Mulga Lands and Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields. The NSW profile identifies both known and predicted occurrences, so mapped habitat should not be treated as proof that the species is present at every location.

  • Broken Hill Complex, including Barrier Range, Barrier Range Outwash and Mootwingee Downs.
  • Channel Country, including Central Depression and Sturt Stony Desert.
  • Darling Riverine Plains, including Culgoa-Bokhara.
  • Mulga Lands, including Nebine Plains and Paroo-Darling Sands.
  • Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields, including the Strzelecki Desert.

Distribution: Population status

There is no population estimate, density estimate or quantified national trend in the supplied sources. The species is described as widespread but sparsely distributed and generally occurring at low density.

It is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales and is not listed under the EPBC Act. The Mammal Diversity Database records the species as Least Concern globally.

NSW status: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed under the EPBC Act

Global status: Least Concern

Population size: Not reported in the supplied sources

Habitat: Habitat types

The species uses open inland habitats with grass, shrubs, soil cracks and scattered woodland structure. It is associated mainly with arid and semi-arid plains rather than dense forest or agricultural land.

Recorded or reported habitats include tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, mulga and savannah woodland, riparian Coolabah forest, stony saltbush plains, sandy ridges and cracking claypans.

The Central Short-tailed Mouse has a broad habitat range, but suitable sites generally retain ground cover, food-producing plants and undisturbed soil refuges.

Habitat: Key structure

Important habitat elements include intact tussocks, chenopod and understorey shrubs, grass seed sources, leaf litter, sticks, ground debris and natural cracks or loose soil suitable for shallow burrows.

Spinifex, or Triodia, should be retained where it occurs in likely habitat. The NSW profile also recommends retaining the full grass growth cycle, including seed set and tussock formation.

  • Retain continuous tussock grassland and avoid removing all grass cover at once.
  • Retain chenopod shrubs, mulga understorey, leaf litter and ground debris.
  • Avoid grading, compaction and stock access where shallow burrows or soil cracks occur.
  • Maintain habitat connections between patches where clearing cannot be avoided.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The species is associated with arid and semi-arid inland Australia and is reported from plains, sandy country, claypans and shrublands. The supplied sources do not give a defined elevation limit or a specific climatic threshold.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The Central Short-tailed Mouse is an omnivore that forages at night on the ground. Seeds form the largest reported component of the diet, supplemented by plant material, arthropods and fungi.

Reported foods include seeds, green stems and leaves, beetles, spiders, other arthropods and fungi. Stomach-content assessment found seeds made up 47 percent of identified food, arthropods 27 percent, with the remainder consisting of stems and leaves.

The species is not generally thought to rely on standing water for drinking. It can obtain moisture from food, as do other desert-adapted rodents.

Seeds: 47 percent of identified stomach contents in the reported assessment

Arthropods: 27 percent of identified stomach contents in the reported assessment

Other food: Green stems and leaves, and fungi

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas

Foraging habitat includes tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, mulga and savannah woodland, stony plains, claypans and sandy ridges. The sources do not provide a measured home range or foraging distance.

Food availability is likely to be closely linked to rainfall and plant growth, but the supplied sources do not quantify seasonal changes in food abundance for this species.

  • Retain seed-producing grasses and chenopod plants within and beside the work area.
  • Retain low shrubs, litter and ground debris that support arthropods and provide cover while the mouse forages.
  • Avoid creating bare, compacted corridors between retained habitat patches.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding is seasonal and appears to be associated with rainfall and improved food availability. Females require a secure grass nest or shallow burrow with nearby food and ground cover.

Breeding peaks in winter and spring, with some breeding in autumn. The supplied sources do not state the age at sexual maturity.

Young are raised in nests in shallow burrows or other protected ground refuges. Clearing can injure adults, destroy nests and expose dependent young to predators.

Breeding season: Peaks in winter and spring, with some breeding in autumn; timing is linked to rainfall

Litter size: Usually 3 to 4 young

Gestation: About 35 days

Weaning: About 28 days, when young weigh about 9 g

Age at maturity: Not known from the supplied sources

Lifespan: Estimated at 1.5 to 2 years

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Suitable breeding sites retain dense tussocks or other ground cover for grass nests, shallow burrows and soil cracks. Food-producing grasses, chenopods, shrubs and leaf litter should be close to these refuges.

Retain habitat through the full grass growth cycle, including seed set and tussock formation. Do not burn or clear all suitable ground cover in one operation.

  • Before clearing, inspect tussock bases, shallow burrows and soil cracks for nests or recent use.
  • Stage works so that connected shelter and feeding habitat remains available beside the work footprint.
  • Avoid disturbance during the winter to spring breeding period where practicable.

Sheltering habitat: Known refuges

The species shelters during the day in shallow ground refuges. These refuges are small and can be removed by grading, compaction, grazing, fire or vegetation clearing.

Day shelters include grass nests in shallow burrows, possibly at the base of spinifex tussocks, and cracks in the soil. The supplied sources do not give entrance diameters, burrow lengths or nest dimensions.

Natural soil structure, tussock bases, leaf litter and low shrubs provide cover from heat and predators.

  • Retain shallow burrows and soil cracks wherever they occur within or beside the work area.
  • Do not fill cracks, level burrowed ground or compact soil unnecessarily.
  • Retain tussocks, spinifex, leaf litter, sticks and ground debris around potential shelter sites.

Sheltering habitat: Site inspection

Search during daylight for grass nests, shallow burrow entrances, disturbed soil and cracks at the base of tussocks. Because the animal is nocturnal, absence of daytime sightings does not show that a site is unused.

Where suitable signs occur, an ecologist should assess whether a fauna spotter catcher, staged clearing or other species management measure is required under the relevant approval conditions.

Threats: Clearing and construction

The main project-related risks are removal of ground cover and soil refuges, habitat fragmentation, grazing and predation around disturbed areas. The species is also exposed to broader risks from altered fire, baiting and introduced competitors.

Clearing trees, shrubs and grasses, removing ground debris and disturbing hollows can remove food, cover and nesting sites. Grading and compaction can destroy shallow burrows and make soil cracks unsuitable.

Fragmentation reduces movement between habitat patches and can increase exposure to predators. Artificial standing water can attract predators and competitors, and can concentrate herbivores that modify vegetation through grazing.

  • Minimise the clearing footprint and retain connected tussock, chenopod and shrub habitat.
  • Fence or clearly mark no-go habitat before vegetation removal and earthworks.
  • Keep machinery, spoil, laydown areas and access tracks out of burrowed ground and intact tussocks.
  • Rehabilitate compacted areas with local ground cover and retain natural soil structure where practicable.
  • Avoid creating new artificial water points near retained habitat unless required and assessed.

Threats: Grazing and introduced competitors

Heavy grazing and trampling by domestic stock, feral goats, rabbits and pigs remove grasses and shrubs, compact topsoil and reduce shelter. Stock and introduced herbivores can also compete for food and habitat.

House mice may compete for food and habitat and can help sustain introduced predators.

  • Reduce stock intensity or exclude grazing from regeneration areas and known habitat.
  • Control rabbits, goats and feral pigs where they are damaging ground cover or soil refuges.
  • Retain grass through seed set and tussock formation.

Threats: Predators, fire and chemicals

Feral cats and foxes prey on the species. Native predators recorded taking it include barn owls and letter-winged kites, and the species has been assessed as facing a high predation risk from dingoes in western NSW.

Too frequent or altered fire can remove food and shelter across a site. The species may also be exposed to 1080 bait through bait ingestion, and pesticides used for locust control may pose a risk.

  • Retain unburnt refuge areas and avoid burning all suitable habitat at one time.
  • Use alternatives to 1080 baiting where possible in likely habitat, and prevent access to non-target bait where approved control programs are necessary.
  • Manage feral cat and fox activity around retained habitat and construction areas in accordance with approved pest-control programs.

Threats: Roads and hydrology

The supplied sources do not provide species-specific roadkill rates, crossing distances or disease records. Roads and access tracks can nevertheless remove habitat, divide tussock and shrub patches, compact soil and increase predator access.

Changes that introduce standing water can alter grazing pressure and predator and competitor activity. No species-specific disease threat is identified in the supplied sources.

  • Keep temporary tracks and vehicle movements within existing disturbed areas where possible.
  • Use low speeds and inspect access routes for fauna before night works in suitable habitat.
  • Avoid directing drainage, runoff or spoil into retained tussocks, chenopod shrubland, claypan margins or burrowed ground.
  • Record and report any injured or dead rodents found on project roads.

Survey methodology: 1. Nocturnal searches and spotlighting

Survey this species as a small, nocturnal, terrestrial rodent of arid and semi-arid inland habitats. Focus on tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, mulga or savannah woodland, claypans, sandy ridges, soil cracks and shallow burrows, including retained habitat beside the impact area. The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific survey guideline or minimum effort, so the project ecologist must set effort from the size, condition and connectivity of the habitat and document the rationale.

Survey after dark because the Central Short-tailed Mouse is nocturnal and shelters during the day.

Search tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, mulga or savannah woodland, sandy ridges, claypans, soil cracks, shallow burrows and grass nests.

Give priority to areas with intact ground cover, seed-producing grasses, shrubs, leaf litter and other ground debris.

Conduct searches in suitable weather and avoid conditions that suppress activity, such as extreme temperatures, strong wind or heavy rain, unless the survey design specifically targets activity after rainfall.

Record the date, start and finish time, weather, personnel, route, area searched, habitat condition and all detections.

Treat spotlighting as a detection method rather than proof of absence, because the species is sparsely distributed and may occur at low density.

Survey methodology: 2. Burrow, crack and shelter searches

Inspect shallow burrows, soil cracks, grass nests at the base of tussocks and shelter beneath retained ground debris without collapsing or blocking them.

Search habitat edges, proposed clearing footprints, access tracks, stock camps and areas where grazing or soil compaction may have reduced shelter.

Record burrow or crack locations with photographs, coordinates and notes on whether they are active, including tracks, scats, nesting material or recent disturbance.

Do not assume an unoccupied burrow is unused, because the species shelters in shallow burrows and cracks during the day.

Survey methodology: 3. Trapping and supplementary detection

Where permitted and justified, use an appropriately designed live-trapping program as a supplementary method for this small terrestrial rodent and have it approved by the relevant animal ethics and wildlife authorities.

Set traps in representative tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, mulga or savannah woodland, sandy ridges and other suitable habitats, including retained habitat adjoining the works.

Specify the number and type of traps, trap spacing, number of nights, checking interval, weather limits, bait, shelter and release procedure in the approved survey plan before fieldwork.

Do not present a trapping effort as a species-specific standard, because the supplied documents do not state a required number of trap nights or trap spacing.

Release captured animals promptly at the capture location unless an authorised fauna handler is implementing an approved relocation or veterinary response.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

Body mass: Usually 15 to 25 grams, with records to 30 grams.

Activity: Nocturnal and terrestrial.

Known shelter: Grass nests, shallow burrows and cracks in the soil.

  • Use more than one detection method where habitat is suitable and the project could remove or fragment habitat, because the species is sparsely distributed and may be difficult to detect.
  • Define the survey area to include the clearing footprint, construction access areas, spoil and laydown areas, retained habitat that could be isolated, and connected habitat proposed for fauna relocation.
  • Repeat or extend surveys when conditions are unsuitable, habitat has recently been disturbed, or the initial survey cannot reasonably detect a low-density nocturnal rodent.
  • Record negative results as well as detections, with effort, conditions, habitat searched and detection limitations.
  • Map every detection, burrow, nest, crack and suitable habitat patch and provide the records to the relevant state wildlife database or biodiversity records system.
  • For NSW work, check the current threatened species approval and reporting requirements because the species is listed as Vulnerable in NSW and is not listed under the EPBC Act.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoid clearing suitable habitat wherever practicable, then reduce the area, duration and intensity of disturbance. The most important site features for this species are intact ground cover, tussocks, chenopod shrubs, seed-producing vegetation, leaf litter, ground debris, soil cracks and shallow burrows.

  • Retain connected patches of tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland, mulga or savannah woodland, sandy ridges and claypan habitat outside the approved disturbance area.
  • Retain tussocks, understorey shrubs, leaf litter and ground debris that provide food, nesting material and shelter.
  • Avoid unnecessary grading, topsoil removal, soil compaction and stock access because these actions can destroy shallow burrows, cracks and other shelter.
  • Keep retained habitat connected to other suitable habitat rather than leaving small isolated patches surrounded by cleared ground.
  • Establish site-specific no-go areas and buffers around mapped habitat, active burrows, nests and retained vegetation, and mark them clearly before machinery arrives.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

  • Confirm the species status for every state or territory in which the project occurs before work starts.
  • For NSW projects, obtain or confirm the approvals, licences and threatened species controls that apply to a Vulnerable species.
  • An EPBC referral is not triggered solely by this species under the supplied information because it is not listed under the EPBC Act, but check whether other listed matters or impacts require referral.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies habitat, survey results, exclusion areas, fauna handling authorities, stop-work triggers, relocation arrangements and reporting requirements.
  • Schedule clearing to avoid the species' reported peak breeding period in winter and spring where practicable, and consider rainfall-linked breeding and autumn breeding records when setting the program.
  • Stage clearing so that retained habitat and escape routes remain available until each work area has been checked and released.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance inspection immediately before disturbance using the approved survey methods and inspect all tussocks, ground debris, soil cracks, shallow burrows and grass nests within the work area.
  • Mark active or potentially occupied burrows, nests, cracks, dense tussocks and habitat to be retained, and brief all operators on the markings.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can protect retained ground habitat and prevent machinery, stock and people entering no-go areas.
  • Keep clearing limits, access routes, stockpile areas, drainage works and temporary compounds within the approved footprint.
  • Confirm that an authorised fauna spotter catcher, suitable holding equipment, transport arrangements and a veterinarian or wildlife carer contact are available before clearing begins.

During habitat disturbance: Daily clearing controls

Use a controlled clearing sequence with a fauna spotter catcher present for all habitat disturbance. The species is small, nocturnal and ground dwelling, so daily controls must cover the vegetation layer, soil surface, tussocks, logs, litter, rocks, cracks and burrows, not only trees.

  • Inspect the work area each day before machinery starts, including the clearing boundary, exclusion fencing, tussocks, nests, burrows, soil cracks, logs, rocks and ground debris.
  • Use a slow, staged clearing sequence that allows the fauna spotter catcher to inspect habitat immediately ahead of machinery.
  • Keep machinery within marked limits and prevent unnecessary driving, parking, spoil placement and refuelling in retained habitat.
  • Stop work during conditions that prevent the fauna spotter catcher from safely seeing or controlling the work area.
  • Recheck areas after overnight work, rainfall, flooding, vehicle damage to exclusion fencing or any change to the approved clearing footprint.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter catcher and machinery

  • The fauna spotter catcher must remain close enough to inspect each section before it is disturbed and must have authority to direct the operator to stop.
  • Use hand tools or low-impact methods around active or potentially occupied burrows, cracks, nests, dense tussocks and ground debris where machinery could crush or bury an animal.
  • Do not allow machinery to push soil, spoil, logs or vegetation into retained habitat or into uninspected burrows and cracks.
  • The fauna spotter catcher must record the location, habitat feature, action taken and outcome for every animal found or suspected to be present.
  • Only an appropriately authorised and trained person may capture, handle, hold, transport or release the animal.

During habitat disturbance: Animal finds and habitat features

  • If a Central Short-tailed Mouse is found, stop nearby work, protect the animal from machinery and predators, and allow the authorised fauna handler to assess it.
  • Minimise handling, keep the animal cool, quiet and secure, and do not pass it to untrained personnel or retain it longer than required for safe release or veterinary assessment.
  • Release a healthy animal into nearby retained habitat with suitable tussock, shrub cover, food resources and shelter, following the approved fauna management plan and any permit conditions.
  • Take injured or distressed animals to a veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer as soon as practicable and record the outcome.
  • Inspect and retain, or carefully relocate under approval, logs, rocks, leaf litter, grass nests and other ground shelter features where they can provide cover in retained habitat.
  • Do not disturb wetlands or drainage features unnecessarily, and control runoff, sediment and standing water that could alter the surrounding arid or semi-arid habitat.
  • Treat hollow-bearing trees as a general fauna management issue if they occur, but prioritise the ground habitat features known to be used by this species.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work immediately if the species is found in the active work area and the fauna spotter catcher cannot safely control the interaction.
  • Stop work if an occupied or potentially occupied burrow, nest or soil crack is damaged, buried or exposed until the fauna spotter catcher and project ecologist determine the response.
  • Stop work if clearing moves outside the approved footprint, exclusion fencing fails, a previously unidentified habitat patch is encountered or the required authorised handler is absent.
  • Stop work and seek advice if repeated detections indicate that the approved impact assessment does not reflect the animals or habitat present.
  • Record every detection, attempted capture, injury, mortality, relocation, release location, veterinary response, habitat feature affected, machinery activity, weather and personnel involved.
  • Notify the project ecologist, approval holder and relevant authority of incidents or mortality in accordance with approval and permit conditions.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work must confirm that no animals or shelter features were left within the disturbed area and that retained habitat remains usable and connected. Continue controls until the work area is stable and the approval holder has accepted the records.

  • Inspect the cleared area, margins and retained habitat after machinery has left for trapped animals, exposed or collapsed burrows, damaged nests, injured fauna and newly isolated habitat.
  • Search soil cracks, tussock bases, shallow burrows, grass nests, leaf litter and ground debris that were adjacent to the clearing boundary.
  • Repair exclusion fencing and reinstate no-go markers where construction traffic or weather has damaged them.
  • Remove temporary materials, spoil and waste from retained habitat and ensure that access tracks and compounds have not expanded beyond the approved footprint.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor retained habitat for continued ground cover, tussock condition, chenopod shrub cover, shelter availability and signs of introduced predator or herbivore activity.
  • Use the approved post-clearance monitoring method and record survey dates, effort, weather, habitat condition, detections and management responses.
  • Submit species records, mortality records and relocation outcomes to the relevant state wildlife database or biodiversity records system.
  • For NSW projects, provide records and incident reports in accordance with the conditions applying to the species' Vulnerable status.
  • Review the management plan if the species is detected repeatedly in retained habitat, if habitat connectivity is lost or if grazing, fire, predators or construction impacts increase.

After habitat disturbance: Maintain controls and offsets

  • Maintain exclusion fencing, no-go areas, erosion controls and access restrictions for as long as construction could damage retained habitat.
  • Prevent stock, goats, rabbits and pigs from entering retained or rehabilitated habitat where practicable, because grazing and trampling remove food and shelter and compact soil.
  • Control foxes and feral cats in accordance with approved programs, and assess the risk of 1080 baiting to this species before using baits near retained habitat.
  • Assess whether residual habitat loss, fragmentation or degradation requires an offset or other compensatory measure under the relevant approval, policy or permit.
  • Do not claim that habitat has been successfully retained until monitoring shows that ground cover, shelter and connectivity are functioning as planned.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should recreate the open, dry ground structure used by the Central Short-tailed Mouse, rather than relying only on tree planting. Set objectives for ground cover, shelter, food plants, connected habitat and reduced pressure from grazing and predators.

  • Re-establish locally appropriate tussock grasses and chenopod shrubs suited to the site's arid or semi-arid soil and rainfall conditions.
  • Retain or reinstate grass tussocks, leaf litter, fallen branches and other ground debris that provide nesting material, cover and invertebrate habitat.
  • Recontour compacted ground where required to restore natural drainage and allow soil cracks and shallow burrows to form without creating erosion hazards.
  • Use local seed or plant material where practicable and protect new plantings from grazing until they are established.
  • Maintain connected strips and patches between retained habitat and rehabilitation areas rather than creating isolated planting blocks.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats

  • Control weeds and prevent dense exotic vegetation from replacing tussock grassland, chenopod shrubland or open ground habitat.
  • Reduce grazing and trampling by domestic stock, feral goats, rabbits and pigs in rehabilitation areas.
  • Manage foxes and feral cats through approved programs, and consider the species' exposure before using 1080 baits or other pesticides.
  • Avoid unnecessary artificial standing water near rehabilitation areas because it may attract predators, competitors and herbivores and alter vegetation use.
  • Develop a site-specific fire regime that retains habitat and food sources across the area and does not burn all suitable habitat at one time.

Rehabilitation actions: Shelter, monitoring and success measures

  • Reinstate suitable logs, rocks, leaf litter, grass nests and other ground shelter where these features were removed and where they will not create a safety or fire hazard.
  • Do not install nest boxes as a substitute for the shallow burrows, tussock cover and soil cracks documented for this species unless another fauna value requires them.
  • Monitor rehabilitation for tussock establishment, chenopod shrub cover, seed-producing vegetation, retained ground debris, soil condition, shelter availability and connectivity.
  • Use nocturnal searches, burrow and crack inspections and any approved supplementary trapping to test whether the rehabilitated area is being used, with effort and conditions recorded.
  • Set success measures before rehabilitation starts, including the approved vegetation and ground-cover targets, protection from grazing, functioning connectivity and absence of unacceptable predator or construction impacts.
  • Adapt planting, grazing, predator, weed and fire management when monitoring shows that the habitat is not developing the structure required by this species.

Sources