New Holland Mouse

Habitat

• 'Habitat' refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species' potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed).
• If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
• The known range of the New Holland Mouse covers the eastern and north-eastern coast of Tasmania including Flinders Island (see distribution map, above). Past records have been within 50 km of the coast; however the New Holland Mouse has not been the subject of comprehensive surveys in Tasmania. As a result the potential range for the New Holland Mouse could reasonably include any areas within Tasmania (including offshore islands) that have vegetation consistent with the elements described below.
• Habitat for the New Holland Mouse corresponds to Dry coastal vegetation​ in the NRE Bushcare Toolkit.
• Habitat for the New Holland Mouse includes the following elements: coastal open heathlands, open woodlands with a heathland understorey, and vegetated sand dunes, particularly where the following indicator species also occur: Common Aotus Aotus ericoides, Tassel Rope Rush Hypolaena fastigiata, Sand Swordsedge Lepidosperma concavum and grasstree Xanthorrhoea species.

What to avoid

• Clearing vegetation (e.g. for coastal development, and conversion to pasture and plantation)
  
• Inappropriate burning regime (i.e. too infrequent or frequent e.g. annual burning)

• Identify potential habitat on your property. If in doubt, seek expert assistance.
• If you are interested in knowing for certain whether the species occurs on your land, organise a formal survey. You will need to employ an ecological consultant to do this.
• Important! Always report any observations of the species to the NRE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
• Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
• Habitat for the New Holland Mouse corresponds to 'Dry coastal vegetation​' in the NRE Bushcare Toolkit. Use the Bushcare Toolkit as a guide on how to manage the vegetation in which this species occurs.
• To avoid additional pressures on the New Holland Mouse - help Tasmania eradicate European Foxes (Vulpes vulpes). See Foxes in Tasmania​ for more information.
  
• ​​For long-term protection of populations on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant. See the NR​E Private Land Conservation Program​ for more details.
  

• See the 'What is Needed' section in the New Holland Mouse Listing Statement​ for a full list of conservation management actions for this species.
  

• Clearing of habitat for housing development and for agriculture are threats to this species.
• To prevent loss of habitat – do not clear habitat for the New Holland Mouse. 
• Note that the New Holland Mouse can be difficult to detect even when known to be present at a site. As a result, all areas of habitat should be managed for the New Holland Mouse regardless of whether or not the species has been detected by survey.

• On mainland Australia, the New Holland Mouse has been found to peak in abundance 2-3 years following a fire. There may be exceptions to this pattern, as the species has been found in vegetation up to 16 years following fire in Tasmania.
• In the light of this uncertainty regarding fire management for the species, fire management of habitat should take into account the successional stage of the vegetation and not just the time since last fire.
• To avoid loss or degradation of habitat – seek professional advice on fire management of New Holland Mouse habitat.

• ​Clearing of habitat for agriculture and conversion to pasture and plantation are principal threats to this species.
• To prevent loss of habitat – do not clear and convert habitat for the New Holland Mouse. 
• Note that the New Holland Mouse can be difficult to detect even when known to be present at a site. As a result, all areas of habitat should be managed for the New Holland Mouse regardless of whether or not the species has been detected by survey.

• ​Clearing of habitat for coastal housing development is a principal threat to this species.
• To prevent loss of habitat – do not clear New Holland Mouse habitat as part of subdivision developments.
• Note that the New Holland Mouse can be difficult to detect even when known to be present at a site. As a result, all areas of habitat should be managed for the New Holland Mouse regardless of whether or not the species has been detected by survey.

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