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The effect of tooth wear on the feeding behaviour of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus, Goldfuss)
Article first published online: 28 FEB 2006
DOI: 10.1017/S0952836902000080
1469-7998/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=ec34f05777fda21f88c13e60007b0ee7d497ce89 "Journal of Zoology")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Logan, M. and Sanson, G. D. (2002), The effect of tooth wear on the feeding behaviour of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus, Goldfuss). Journal of Zoology, 256: 63–69. doi: 10.1017/S0952836902000080
Publication History
- Issue published online: 28 FEB 2006
- Article first published online: 28 FEB 2006
- Accepted 31 January 2001
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- tooth wear;
- feeding ecology;
- compensations;
- koala;
- Phascolarctos cinereus
Abstract
The free-ranging feeding behaviours of five adult koalas Phascolarctos cinereus with varying degrees of tooth wear were investigated using acoustically sensitive radio telemetry. An increase in tooth wear was found to be associated with a significant increase in the average amount of time spent feeding, average number of leaves consumed and the average number of daily chews. This suggests that koalas compensate for tooth wear by increasing food intake. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the average number of chews per leaf and average chew rate, suggesting a greater investment in processing each leaf.