Nocturnal activity patterns and vertical space use of the Sundevall’s Thallomys (Thallomys paedulcus) in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa

Abstract

Thallomys paedulcus (Sundevall’s Thallomys; Sundevall, 1846) is a nocturnal, arboreal rodent distributed across southern and eastern Africa, yet its behavioural ecology remains poorly documented. Here I present preliminary observations on temporal activity patterns and vertical canopy use during the dry season in the Soutpansberg Mountain Range, South Africa. Contrary to the dusk activity peak reported by Earl and Nel in 1976, activity was broadly distributed throughout the night. Behaviour was significantly associated with vertical stratum: individuals travelled in the upper canopy and fed on lower branches. These findings suggest T. paedulcus partitions activity along spatial axes, with implications for predation avoidance and competition.