Powell, J., Collins, T., Beaty, T. et al. 2023. A fat tailed what?!: Navigating husbandry for the fat tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata). Laboratory Animal Science Professional 11(4) (July/August), 46-48.

FTDs are Australian carnivorous nocturnal marsupials, whose diet, environmental needs, and enrichment vary from typical research species. Due to the limited working knowledge on the husbandry and care of this species in a biomedical setting, information was compiled from multiple sources, including Hidden Vale Wildlife Center in Australia, to establish a baseline of husbandry and care for the FTDs in our facility. SOPs and guidance documents include pictures to aid with detailed-oriented tasks, such as food preparation. Utilizing multiple resources, and trial and error, we are now able to accommodate the FTDs physical and psychological needs, while also meeting the needs of the research program. As we continue to gain knowledge of FTDs, our efforts to care for them evolve, and will hopefully continue to lead to the development of additional enrichment and husbandry practices to advance their welfare.