Milk consumption and estimates of growth energetics in pouch young of the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus (Peramelidae, Marsupialia), in captivity

Milk consumption was measured in pouch young of the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus, using the Na-22 turnover technique. Milk consumption rates increased from about 2.3 ml young(-1) d(-1) at 23 days post-partum to about 17.2 ml young(-1) d-' at 52 days, just prior to weaning. Young increased in mass from 8.5 g to around 112 g over the same period. Mass gained for each ml of milk consumed ranged from 0.28 to 0.65 g ml(-1). The efficiency with which young converted milk energy and protein into body energy and protein ranged from 16.1 to 39.6% and 38.4 to 82.3%, respectively.