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Plains Mouse (Pseudomys australis)

The Plains Mouse is a small, ground-dwelling rodent of arid and semi-arid Australia. It uses cracking clay plains, gibber deserts and minor drainage features, and can expand rapidly after rain before contracting into refuge areas during dry periods. On development sites, clearing, grading, vehicle movement, grazing and altered drainage can remove burrows, food resources and drought refuges.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Vulnerable.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Northern Territory, Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976: Endangered.

Breeding season

The Plains Mouse does not have a fixed annual breeding season. Activity and breeding respond to rainfall and plant production, so timing varies between regions and years. The table shows the broad pattern supported by the available evidence.

Use recent rainfall, local records and pre-clearing habitat inspections to refine timing. A dry-period absence from traps does not demonstrate that the species is absent from burrows or deep cracks.

  • Breeding: Breeding is opportunistic after rain and can continue in refuge areas during dry periods. Winter litter production is lower in captivity, and breeding stops during drought or very low resources.
  • Young: Gestation is 30 to 31 days and litters contain one to four pups in the NSW assessment. Post-partum oestrus allows successive litters about every 2 to 3 months when food is abundant.
  • Movement and population expansion: Following heavy summer rain, population increases have been recorded 4 to 9 months later. Animals may disperse beyond refuge habitat within about 4 months, and occupied area expands during population peaks.
  • Dry-period refuge use: During resource-poor periods, populations contract into discrete run-on patches, deep cracking clay and other refuge areas. Animals can remain in refuges, retain body condition and continue breeding.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing risk is present throughout the year because burrows and refuge habitat may be occupied in any month. Risk is especially high after rainfall when breeding, young and dispersal increase, and during dry periods when much of the population may be concentrated in small refuge areas.

Identification

The Plains Mouse is a relatively large, stocky Pseudomys with a rounded snout, large ears and a distinctly bicoloured tail. It may be difficult to detect when numbers are low, so habitat, burrow and runway searches are important alongside trapping.

The fur is soft, close and thick, with blackish brown upperparts that are slightly grizzled at the tips. The underparts are reddish ash to greyish ash, particularly on the throat and breast. The head and body measure about 13.3 cm and the tail about 8.3 cm.

The tail is grey above and white underneath. The species is one of the larger Pseudomys rodents and weighs about 30 to 50 g, although sources report average weights of 40 to 65 g.

Body mass: 30 to 50 g commonly reported; averages of 40 to 65 g are also recorded.

Head and body: About 13.3 cm.

Tail: About 8.3 cm, grey above and white underneath.

Identification: Similar rodents

In areas of range overlap, compare the Plains Mouse with the Desert Mouse, House Mouse and Dusky Hopping Mouse. The Plains Mouse is distinguished by its relatively large size, stocky build and long ears.

The bicoloured tail, rounded snout and large ears are useful field characters, but identification should be confirmed by an appropriately experienced person where a threatened species record may affect project approvals.

Identification: Field signs

Look for shallow burrows connected by surface runways, burrow entrances among the roots of perennial shrubs, and nests or chambers in deep cracks. Neighbouring burrows may be within 10 m of one another.

A burrow commonly has one nest chamber and several side passages. Cup-shaped nests may occur up to 50 cm below the surface in cracks in drainage depressions. Tracks, scats and burrows can be searched during daylight, when the animals are usually sheltering.

Remains or traces in Barn Owl pellets and Letter-winged Kite pellets can indicate presence in an area. Hair sampling devices can also identify the species when a suitable hair sample is obtained.

Burrow spacing: Neighbouring burrows are generally within 10 m.

Nest depth: Cup-shaped nests may be up to 50 cm below the surface.

Distribution: National range

The Plains Mouse formerly occupied a much wider, patchy area of southern and central Australia. Current records are concentrated in the western Lake Eyre Basin and adjacent desert systems, with recent records confirming extant populations in western New South Wales.

Historical records extend across northern South Australia, the southern Northern Territory, central and south-western Queensland, south-eastern Western Australia, southern Eyre Peninsula, Lake Albert, northern New South Wales and southern Victoria. Subfossil records extend as far east as the Liverpool Plains near Gunnedah and as far west as Rawlinna in Western Australia.

The current distribution is patchy in the western Lake Eyre Basin, from Billa Kalina Station south-east of Coober Pedy to Charlotte Waters in the Northern Territory. The species is associated with the stony deserts, gibber plains and interdunal plains of the Lake Eyre, Simpson and Strzelecki Desert systems.

States and territories identified in the conservation assessment: New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.

Main current range: Patchy western Lake Eyre Basin, including parts of the Simpson and Strzelecki Desert systems.

National area of occupancy: Approximately 648 km², based on 2 km by 2 km grid cells.

National extent of occurrence: Approximately 521,337 km², based on a convex hull around known occurrences.

Distribution: Known populations and fluctuations

Recent New South Wales records are from Sturt National Park, the Fowlers Gap area and the Strzelecki Dune field. Records from Sturt National Park occurred in 2008, 2019 and 2020, while records from Fowlers Gap and the Strzelecki Dune field were obtained between 2015 and 2017.

The species has boom and bust population dynamics. Rainfall can produce a rapid increase in abundance and range, followed by a rapid contraction when resources decline. In one study, population size fell eighty-fold within three years, and dry-period occupancy in the western Simpson Desert was about 17 percent of the area occupied during population peaks.

Estimated mature population during drought: Fewer than 10,000 mature individuals nationally.

Known New South Wales record areas: Sturt National Park, Fowlers Gap and the Strzelecki Dune field.

Typical foraging range: Less than 5 ha, and typically less than 1 ha.

Population change reported in one study: An eighty-fold decrease within three years.

Habitat

The Plains Mouse is associated mainly with arid and semi-arid stony deserts, gibber plains and cracking clay plains. Habitat suitability depends on soil structure, local run-on, food production and the availability of cracks or burrowable soil.

Preferred habitat includes barren gibber plains, stony deserts and cracking clay plains with high gypsum content. Deep cracking clay, gilgai depressions and minor drainage features provide surface complexity for burrowing and shelter.

The species generally occurs in run-on areas and minor drainage features, but not in major drainage channels, floodplains or swamps that receive large flows or prolonged ponding. During population irruptions it can temporarily occupy surrounding dunes and a wider range of vegetation communities.

Habitat: Vegetation communities

Recorded vegetation communities include low open shrubland dominated by Sclerolaena divaricata, Eragrostis setifolia and Atriplex vesicaria; low very open shrubland with Atriplex nummularia subsp. omissa and Abutilon halophilum; low very open shrubland with Maireana aphylla, Eragrostis setifolia, Astrebla pectinata and Atriplex vesicaria; and low woodland with Eucalyptus coolabah.

The species can occur where perennial shrubs provide burrow locations, and where shallow-rooted plants germinate after small rainfall events.

Habitat: Site features to retain

During site inspections, map deep cracks, gilgai depressions, minor drainage lines, run-on patches, low shrub bases, burrow clusters and connected surface runways. These features may remain occupied during dry periods when the species is absent from surrounding habitat.

Elevation limits are not stated in the supplied sources. The documented distribution is defined by arid and semi-arid desert systems rather than by a specified elevation band.

Foraging habitat: Food resources

The Plains Mouse feeds mainly on plant material and seeds, with insects and other invertebrates contributing to the diet. Food availability is closely linked to rainfall, germination and local run-on.

The diet includes seeds, stems, green plant material, fungi and arthropods. Recorded food plants include Dactyloctenium radulans, Chloris pectinata and Boerhavia schomburgkiana. These plants are shallow rooted, short lived, grazing tolerant and likely to germinate after small rainfall events.

Localised rainfall produces grass and forb growth in run-on patches. These patches can continue to provide green food and accumulated seed during dry periods, allowing refuge populations to persist.

Main diet: Seeds and plant material.

Additional food: Insects, arthropods and fungi.

Named food plants: Dactyloctenium radulans, Chloris pectinata and Boerhavia schomburgkiana.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area and timing

The species is mainly nocturnal, with some daytime activity. Individuals usually forage close to burrows and refuge patches. The typical foraging range is less than 5 ha and often less than 1 ha.

After heavy rainfall, abundance and occupied area can expand rapidly. In the western Simpson Desert, animals appeared outside refuge habitat within four months of rainfall, and population increases occurred 4 to 9 months after heavy summer rain.

Typical foraging range: Less than 5 ha, typically less than 1 ha.

Response after heavy summer rain: Population increases have been recorded 4 to 9 months later.

Breeding habitat

Breeding is opportunistic and responds to rainfall and food availability. Breeding can continue in dry-period refuge habitat, but it stops during droughts or when resources are very low.

Breeding habitat is associated with refuge areas that retain food, deep cracks or burrows, and protection from heat and predators. Females can experience post-partum oestrus, allowing successive litters when conditions are favourable.

In the wild, breeding is driven by primary productivity following rainfall. Breeding can continue in refuge areas during dry periods, although fewer litters have been recorded in winter in captivity and breeding ceases during severe drought or low-resource periods.

Breeding season: Opportunistic after rain, with breeding possible outside the main rainfall period when refuge resources remain available.

Oestrus: Seven to eight days.

Gestation: 30 to 31 days.

Litter size: One to four pups in the NSW conservation assessment. A study review reports litters of one to seven.

Reproductive pattern: Females experience post-partum oestrus and may produce successive litters every 2 to 3 months when resources are abundant.

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied sources.

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied sources.

Breeding habitat: Breeding sites

Burrows generally contain a single nest chamber and several side passages. Burrow clusters may be close together and connected by surface runways, allowing highly social groups to huddle and shelter together.

During project works, inspect and protect cracking clay depressions, shrub bases, minor drainage features and run-on patches before clearing or ground disturbance. A lack of surface activity does not demonstrate that these sites are unoccupied during dry conditions.

Sheltering habitat: Burrows and cracks

The Plains Mouse shelters in burrows and deep soil cracks. Dry-period refuge habitat is especially important because most of the population may contract into a small part of the occupied area.

Shelter includes deep soil cracks, shallow burrows under or among perennial shrubs, and burrow systems in cracking clay or friable soil. Burrows are connected by surface runways and may contain one nest chamber with several side passages.

A burrow cluster may support up to 20 individuals outside breeding events. During breeding, a group may consist of one male and two to three females. Cup-shaped nests in drainage depressions may be up to 50 cm below the surface.

Non-breeding group size: Up to 20 individuals may occupy a colony.

Breeding group described in the survey guideline: One male and two to three females.

Nest depth: Up to 50 cm below the surface in some drainage depressions.

Neighbouring burrows: Generally within 10 m and connected by surface runways.

Sheltering habitat: Drought refuges

Fixed refuge areas occur in run-on patches within stony desert where local rainfall produces repeated grass and forb growth. These sites combine food resources with deep cracks or protected burrow systems.

Refuge occupancy can change between dry periods, although some refuge sites remain occupied through dry conditions and support continued breeding. In the western Simpson Desert, dry-period occupancy contracted to about 17 percent of the area used during population peaks.

Dry-period occupied area: About 17 percent of the area occupied during population peaks in one western Simpson Desert study.

Sheltering habitat: Inspection and protection

Search systematically for cracks, burrows, runways, nests and shrub-base shelter before clearing. The Australian survey guideline recommends daytime habitat searches and sign searches, with transects spaced 50 to 100 m apart for small sites where appropriate.

For a 5 ha study area, the guideline suggests two hours for every hectare of stratified survey site, with habitat and sign searches undertaken together. Elliott A trapping, pitfall trapping, hair sampling and predator-pellet searches may be added where suitable.

Threats: Clearing and ground disturbance

The main risks are loss or degradation of cracking clay refuge habitat, grazing and trampling, predation by introduced cats and foxes, and rainfall or temperature changes that reduce food and shelter. Project impacts can be severe because populations may be concentrated in small refuge areas during dry periods.

Clearing, grading, excavation, compaction and vehicle movement can remove deep cracks, burrows, shrub bases, surface runways and seed-producing plants. Disturbance to a small refuge patch may affect a disproportionate part of the local population during a dry period.

Fragmentation is a concern where works divide cracking clay plains, minor drainage features or run-on patches. The species has a typical foraging range of less than 1 ha, so local habitat removal can affect an entire subpopulation even when suitable habitat remains nearby.

  • Map and avoid cracking clay depressions, gilgai, minor drainage features, run-on patches and burrow clusters before clearing.
  • Keep heavy vehicles, stockpiles and temporary access tracks away from confirmed or potential refuge habitat.
  • Treat an absence of captures during dry conditions as inconclusive because animals may be concentrated in unsearched refuge sites.

Threats: Grazing and trampling

Cattle, sheep and feral herbivores reduce food and ground cover and can trample burrows. Rabbits compete for plant and seed resources and also reduce vegetation cover that protects mice from predators.

In one study, Plains Mouse activity fell to zero 250 m inside a fence where cattle were present. Rabbit control was associated with a 241 percent increase in extent of occurrence and a 64 percent increase in area of occupancy.

Observed cattle effect: An activity index dropped to zero 250 m from a conservation fence where cattle were present.

Reported response to rabbit control: Extent of occurrence increased by 241 percent and area of occupancy by 64 percent in one South Australian study.

Threats: Predators, fire and climate

Feral cats and Red Foxes prey on Plains Mice and persist during dry periods when refuge populations are concentrated. Dingoes and owls may also take the species. Predation can prevent population expansion after rainfall and can drive local extinction during drought.

Higher temperatures may make shallow burrows unsuitable and force populations into the deepest cracking clay. Altered surface hydrology can flood cracks, deposit silt or sand, change soil structure and reduce the food production of refuge patches.

Fire is not described as a primary species-specific threat in the supplied documents, but the loss of vegetation cover after fire can increase exposure to predators and reduce food and shelter for small ground mammals. Fire planning should therefore account for refuge structure and post-fire predator exposure.

  • Avoid concentrating artificial water, food or waste near potential refuge habitat because changes in predator activity may increase cat and fox pressure.
  • Maintain natural drainage patterns and avoid directing concentrated flows across cracking clay depressions or minor run-on areas.
  • Assess fire impacts on deep cracks, shrub bases, ground cover and predator exposure rather than relying only on vegetation type.

Survey methodology: 1. Diurnal habitat searches

Survey the Plains Mouse, Pseudomys australis, as a small, ground dwelling mammal of arid and semi-arid gibber plains and cracking clay plains. Detection varies strongly with rainfall, so survey timing, habitat targeting and evidence of burrows or other activity are important.

Use a stratified design that represents all relevant habitat types and targets deep cracking clay, gilgai depressions, minor drainage features and low shrubs with suitable burrowing soil.

Search for habitat resources across the study area, using aerial photographs, topographic maps, vegetation maps and satellite imagery to plan transects before ground truthing.

Primary habitat: Gibber plains, stony deserts and cracking clay plains, particularly deep cracking clay associated with minor drainage features and gilgai depressions.

Typical project search effort: About 2 hours per hectare for a 5 hectare area, with transects at 50 to 100 metre intervals where suitable.

  • For small sites, space transects at 50 to 100 metre intervals, or use quadrats in representative habitats.
  • For a 5 hectare area, allow about 2 hours for each 1 hectare stratified survey site, with habitat and activity searches conducted together.
  • Record deep cracks, gilgai, minor drainage features, burrow systems, surface runways, nest sites and areas with food plants or recent green growth.
  • Give additional attention to run-on patches and minor drainage areas that receive localised runoff, but avoid assuming that major drainage channels, floodplains or swamps are suitable refuge habitat.

Survey methodology: 2. Searches for signs

Search during the day for signs because Plains Mice are mainly nocturnal and shelter in burrows or deep soil cracks.

Burrow arrangement: A burrow usually has one nest chamber and several side passages, with neighbouring burrows generally within 10 metres and connected by surface runways.

Burrow depth noted in the guideline: Cup shaped nests may occur up to 50 centimetres below the surface.

  • Inspect burrows, tracks, scats, surface runways, nest chambers and side passages around cracking clay depressions and the bases of low shrubs.
  • Map burrow clusters and record their condition, approximate dimensions, signs of recent use and connections by surface runways.
  • Treat a cluster of burrows as potentially occupied even when no animal is seen, particularly during dry or low rainfall periods.
  • Record disturbance to cracks, burrows and ground cover from stock, rabbits, vehicles and machinery.

Survey methodology: 3. Trapping and hair sampling

Use trapping only under an approved survey design and animal ethics and wildlife permit requirements. The guideline identifies Elliott A trapping, pitfall trapping and hair sampling devices as suitable or potentially suitable methods for this species.

Hair identification: Plains Mouse is listed as identifiable from a hair sample when a reasonable sample is available.

Average body weight: About 40 grams in the survey guideline, with other assessment material reporting 30 to 50 grams and an average as high as 65 grams.

  • Use Elliott A traps baited with rolled oats, peanut butter and sultanas, and follow the current survey guideline for trap layout, checking and welfare controls.
  • Consider pitfall trapping where appropriate to the site and approved method, particularly where small ground dwelling mammals may use cracks or runways.
  • Use hair sampling devices as a supplementary non capture method because Plains Mouse hair can be identified when a reasonable sample is available.
  • Place traps or hair devices in representative habitat and near likely runways, burrows and gilgai features rather than distributing them uniformly across unsuitable ground.
  • Do not report a negative result as absence where rainfall has been poor, habitat is disturbed or sampling effort and detectability were limited.

Survey methodology: 4. Predator evidence and local knowledge

Use indirect evidence to supplement live trapping and sign searches, especially when populations are at low density.

Best survey window: After rain, when population density and distribution are more likely to be high.

Activity pattern: Nocturnal and partly diurnal.

  • Collect predator scats, owl casts and prey remains from predatory bird nests, owl roosts and mammal dens where this can be done lawfully and without disturbing the predator.
  • Submit potential remains or samples for specialist identification because Plains Mouse traces have been recorded in barn owl and letter winged kite pellets.
  • Consult local landholders, graziers, station staff and Indigenous knowledge holders about recent records, burrow clusters and sightings, while recording the source and date of each report.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use a stratified survey design and explain the area searched, habitat strata, transect spacing, search hours, trap effort, device locations, weather and rainfall history.
  • Survey after rain where practicable, and state clearly when dry conditions may have reduced detection probability.
  • Record all live animals, burrows, tracks, scats, hair samples, predator remains and reliable community reports with coordinates, date, observer and identification method.
  • Have a suitably experienced person verify records and retain photographs or specimens in accordance with permit conditions.
  • Submit confirmed records and relevant negative survey information to the relevant state or territory wildlife database, and provide records required under project approval conditions.
  • Assess whether the records indicate a refuge area, breeding group or connected burrow cluster before clearing proceeds.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat cracking clay and gilgai habitat as potentially occupied until it has been surveyed and assessed. The species can contract to small refuge areas during dry periods, so absence during a short survey does not by itself justify clearing.

Redesign the work footprint to retain deep cracking clay, gilgai depressions, minor drainage features, low shrub bases, burrows and connected surface runways.

Retain refuge patches and maintain connectivity between suitable cracking clay and run-on areas, particularly where records or burrow clusters occur.

Keep vehicles, laydown areas, access tracks, spoil and drainage works out of retained burrows and soil cracks.

Avoid changing surface hydrology, because flooding, silt deposition, erosion and altered runoff can reduce shelter and food resources in refuge areas.

Prevent grazing, browsing and trampling in retained habitat where practicable, because these impacts remove ground cover, reduce food resources and damage burrows.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Confirm the national and state or territory status before works begin, and obtain any EPBC Act approval, state approval, wildlife permit or animal ethics approval that applies to the project and proposed survey or handling methods.

Prepare a fauna management plan that maps suitable habitat, known records, refuge areas, retained areas, access routes, exclusion zones, handling arrangements, stop work triggers and reporting responsibilities.

Schedule the main survey and, where practicable, the most disruptive works after rainfall when detection is more likely, while avoiding works that damage refuge habitat during dry periods.

Stage clearing so retained habitat remains available and connected until each cleared area has been checked and released by the fauna spotter catcher.

Include cat, fox, rabbit and livestock controls in the work plan where these pressures affect retained habitat.

National status: Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Generation length: About 1 year.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

Complete a pre clearance survey using the methods above and inspect all areas proposed for clearing, access, trenching, stockpiling and drainage works.

Mark burrow clusters, deep cracking clay, gilgai, minor drainage features, low shrubs with burrows and retained refuge patches before machinery enters the site.

Install exclusion fencing around retained habitat and mapped refuge features where fencing can prevent vehicle access, livestock access or inadvertent entry without blocking animal movement between retained patches.

Brief the machinery operators on the mapped exclusion zones, daily release process, stop work triggers and the requirement to follow the fauna spotter catcher’s directions.

Confirm the location of a nearby retained release area before any animal handling is authorised.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls

Use a controlled clearing process that protects burrows and soil structure. A fauna spotter catcher should direct machinery and retain authority to pause work when an animal, burrow cluster or unexpected refuge feature is found.

Inspect exclusion fencing, retained habitat and access routes before work starts each day.

Use a fauna spotter catcher during vegetation removal, soil disturbance, trenching, grading and movement of machinery through potential habitat.

Clear in stages from the disturbed edge towards retained habitat where the site layout allows animals to move away from machinery into protected areas.

Keep machinery outside marked burrows, deep cracks, gilgai and retained refuge patches unless the approved method specifically requires disturbance.

Do not leave open trenches, pits or other excavations unattended without fauna controls, ramps or covers that prevent trapping.

During habitat disturbance: Feature handling and animal response

Do not excavate, collapse or fill an occupied or potentially occupied burrow until the fauna spotter catcher has inspected it and the approved fauna management procedure has been followed.

Handle Plains Mice only when the person is authorised, trained and permitted to do so, and use the least stressful method available.

Place a captured or displaced animal in nearby suitable retained habitat that contains cracking soil, shelter and food resources, unless the approved wildlife authority directs another outcome.

Do not move animals long distances or across unsuitable ground without specific approval, because the species generally has a small foraging range, typically less than 1 hectare and less than 5 hectares.

Take injured animals to an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian as soon as practicable, and record the receiving facility and outcome.

Do not disturb predator nests, dens, owl roosts or other fauna features while collecting evidence unless the action is authorised.

Foraging range: Typically less than 1 hectare and generally less than 5 hectares.

Social group information: Burrow groups may contain up to 20 individuals outside breeding events; a breeding group may comprise one male and two to three females.

During habitat disturbance: Stop work and records

Stop work immediately if a Plains Mouse is found, if fresh burrows or a connected burrow cluster is exposed, or if clearing is damaging a mapped refuge feature.

Stop work if an animal is injured, trapped, repeatedly displaced or unable to reach retained habitat safely.

Stop work if machinery enters an exclusion zone, if erosion or runoff begins affecting retained cracking clay, or if a trench or excavation presents an unmanaged fauna hazard.

Record the time, location, activity, animal condition, identification method, photographs, handling details, release location, injured animal outcome and names of the spotter catcher and operator.

Notify the project environmental officer and the approval holder of every confirmed record, injury, mortality, relocation and stop work event.

After habitat disturbance: Clearance checks and monitoring

Release disturbed areas only after the fauna spotter catcher has completed checks and the environmental officer has confirmed that controls remain effective. Post works monitoring should focus on retained refuge habitat and any area where burrows or soil cracks were disturbed.

Inspect the cleared footprint, work edges, spoil areas, trenches and access routes for animals, fresh burrows, tracks, scats and trapped fauna before releasing the area from fauna controls.

Recheck retained cracking clay, gilgai and minor drainage refuge areas after heavy rain and during dry periods when populations may contract into these locations.

Monitor burrow condition, ground cover, food plants, grazing pressure, predator activity, erosion, sediment deposition and surface water changes.

Use repeat searches, hair devices, trapping or other approved methods where monitoring is required, and compare results with the pre works survey.

Expected population pattern: Area of occupancy can contract to about 17 percent of the area used during population peaks during the low phase.

After habitat disturbance: Maintain controls and report outcomes

Maintain exclusion fencing, vehicle restrictions, grazing controls and predator controls for as long as they are needed to protect retained habitat.

Repair any damaged fencing or drainage control immediately where it could allow vehicles, stock or runoff to enter refuge habitat.

Report confirmed records, injuries, deaths, relocations, habitat damage, monitoring results and any approval non compliance to the relevant regulator and state wildlife database as required.

Assess whether the project caused loss or degradation of habitat used by the species and implement any approved offset, restoration or compensatory measure.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should restore the soil, shelter and food conditions used by the Plains Mouse rather than simply replacing vegetation. Give priority to refuge areas that retain cracking clay, local runoff and protection from grazing and introduced predators.

Reinstate natural soil profiles and surface microtopography so deep cracks, gilgai depressions and minor run-on features can reform where they have been disturbed.

Restore local drainage patterns without directing concentrated flows into burrows or causing prolonged ponding in minor drainage areas.

Re-establish native low shrub and ground-layer communities recorded for stony desert habitat, including communities containing Sclerolaena divaricata, Eragrostis setifolia, Atriplex vesicaria, Atriplex nummularia subsp. omissa, Abutilon halophilum, Maireana aphylla and Astrebla pectinata where these are appropriate to the local reference community.

Retain or reinstate low shrubs and natural ground cover around burrow habitat, because burrows may occur among shrub roots and food plants provide seeds and plant material.

Do not substitute tree hollows, nest boxes, logs or wetland construction for the cracking clay and gibber habitat required by this species.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats

Exclude domestic stock and feral herbivores from recovering refuge habitat until ground cover, food plants and burrow structure are established.

Control rabbits, cats and foxes in accordance with the approved management plan, with particular attention to refuge areas where predators may concentrate during dry periods.

Control weeds and prevent soil disturbance that removes shallow rooted, short lived food plants likely to germinate after small rainfall events.

Manage fire so it does not remove ground cover and food resources across retained or recovering refuge patches, while following the relevant fire authority requirements.

Avoid new artificial water points or other actions that could increase cat or fox activity around refuge habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor rehabilitation success

Set measurable completion criteria for soil cracking, gilgai function, native ground cover, food plant recruitment, burrow formation, grazing pressure and predator activity.

Inspect rehabilitation after rainfall and during dry periods, because population occurrence and habitat use change sharply between boom and bust conditions.

Use repeat searches for burrows and signs, hair sampling, trapping or other approved methods to test whether Plains Mice use the restored area.

Continue monitoring for at least the period required by the project approval, and extend it where refuge habitat has not recovered or dry conditions prevent a meaningful assessment.

Report failures, mortality, erosion, grazing incursions and predator impacts promptly, and repair the cause before claiming rehabilitation success.

Sources