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[Jonno from ERD]

G'day guys,

We're currently setting up a new Spinifex Hopper enclosure, complete with underground tunnel system etc. They are very easy to keep, our current set up is just the same as you would keep laboratory mice, with a bit more variance in their diet. I'll post some pics of our new set up once it is done. The price for them varies - I have seen them been given away (or even euthanised due to overpopulation), and there was a bloke in Victoria charging $50 each last year. We will charge somewhere inbetween that price for ours. Unfortunately the only places that can keep native mammals in Queensland are Demonstrators (like us) and Exhibitors. This is one of many aspects of QPWS legislation that I think is flawed...From memory, there are 2 or 3 species of mammal allowed to be kept in NSW though.

We're not afraid to admit that we are total novices at mammal keeping, having almost zero experience with them before we got them. Thankfully we seem to have picked up most of the tricks and tips fairly quickly and we're having some success. Our biggest problem at the moment is calming down our skittish possum. If you've got her milk, she'll be your best friend, but any sudden movement or noise and she will run and hide in the most awkward area and refuse to budge until she gets hungry again. They have big teeth!

Cheers