Marsupials and native rats
Manly Dam Biodiveristy Project ecologists surveyed the area for mammals using a range of techniques that target different types of animals living in different habitats. Survey methods included:
* camera traps: infra-red motion sensor cameras which take photos of animals as they visit a survey area
* nest boxes: hollow log nest boxes installed on trees to encourage visitation by animals who rely on hollows for shelter and breeding
* community night walks: ecologists and members of the community also walked through the dam at night to spot nocturnal animals going about their business.
Additional species that potentially occur at Manly Dam, but were not recorded in the surveys include Water Rat, Southern Brown Bandicoot and Spotted-tailed Quoll.
Night-time community walks along the sealed road frequently sighted Common Ringtail Possums plus the occasional Sugar Glider. The Feathertail Glider is a small tree dwelling marsupial that is difficult to detect but could also occur in the nectar-rich areas within Manly Dam’s forests.
While not threatened, locally rare and significant species include the Brown Antechinus, Bush Rat and Long-nosed Bandicoot, all of which were uncommonly recorded in the surveys.
Below are some of the marsupials and native rats that call Manly Dam home.
Motion sensor cameras were installed to survey mammals.
A juvenile Swamp Wallaby visiting a camera trap at night.
Image credit: B. Law
Eastern Pygmy Possum
Species: Cercartetus nanus
Conservation status: threatened
The Eastern Pygmy Possum is a tiny marsupial and possibly one of the cutest animals on the planet. It feeds on nectar and pollen from eucalypts, banksias, and bottlebrushes, supplemented by insects and fruit.
Mother Eastern Pygmy Possums nest with their young in tree hollows or in small spherical nests of shredded bark. The possums may also shelter in abandoned bird nests or the forks of trees.
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Swamp Wallaby
Species: Wallabia bicolor
The Swamp Wallaby is not as common in Sydney as it once was, but can still be found in a few places in its preferred habitat of thick forest undergrowth or sandstone heath. Sadly, many are ending up as road-kill on main roads surrounding the Manly Dam reserve, especially on Wakehurst Parkway as they travel to and from the Garigal National Park. -
Common Brushtail Possum
Species: Trichosurus vulpecula
You can recognise a Common Brushtail Possum by its thick, bushy tail which distinguishes it from the smaller Common Ringtail Possum. The largest of the possums, Brushtails can be identified by their silvery-grey colour, a band found across their nose, pointy ears and of course their bushy tail.
Brushtails can often be backyard buddies. -
Common Ringtail Possum
Species: Pseudocheirus peregrinus
Mainly a leaf-eater, the common ringtail loves the bush as well as suburban gardens on the east coast. A long friction pad on the underside of its 30 cm white-tipped tail helps when using the tail as an extra climbing limb or when carrying material for its football-sized nest of sticks, often called a drey.
Ringtails are often on the menu for Powerful Owls when raising their chicks.
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Feathertail Glider
Species: Acrobates pygmaeus
The Feathertail Glider has a feather-like tail fringed with long stiff hairs, which acts as a rudder during flight. A gliding membrane, which extends from its elbows to its knees, allows the animal to glide more than 20 m between trees. It clings to smooth surfaces with its large serrated toe pads. While not detected in formal surveys these gliders are likely to live in Manly Dam. -
Sugar Glider
Species: Petaurus breviceps
The Sugar Glider has a membrane extending from its fifth finger to its ankle enabling it to glide up to 50 m between trees. The females commonly give birth to twins, which remain in the pouch for just over two months. They then leave the nest to forage for food with their mother. -
Brown Antechinus
Species: Antechinus stuartii
Antechinus are small native carnivorous marsupials, greyish-brown above and paler below. It is mostly nocturnal, coming out during the night to prey upon insects, spiders, centipedes and sometimes small reptiles and frogs.
They are present but locally rare and uncommon in Manly Dam.
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Long-nosed Bandicoot
Species: Perameles nasuta
The Long-nosed Bandicoot is probably best known for the small, round conical holes it leaves behind as it forages at night and can even be found in backyards. About the size of a rabbit, the Long-nosed Bandicoot has pointed ears, a short tail, grey-brown fur and, of course, a long nose.
Bandicoots are present but locally rare and uncommon in Manly Dam. They are vulnerable to predation by foxes and cats. -
Native Bush Rat
Species: Rattus fuscipes
Image Credit: David Cook
The Bush Rat can be quite difficult to find because of its nocturnal habits and also because it prefers to nest hidden in dense forest. They are present in Manly Dam but locally rare and uncommon. A native rat, the Bush Rat is grey-brown in colour with rounded ears and a relatively short tail. For more information on features that can help you to distinguish between native rats and other rats visit here. -
Water Rat
Species: Hydromys chrysogaster
Sometimes referred to as the Australian otter, the Water-rat is one of Australia's largest rodents and is usually found near permanent bodies of water. They are well adapted to aquatic life with webbed hind feet and a waterproof coat and can be identified by their large size and long tail with a white tip.
They are likely to be present but uncommon in Manly Dam.