Northern quoll

Dwarf Quoll ( Dasyurus hallucatus ) Gould

The dwarf Quoll or Northern Quoll ( Dasyurus hallucatus ) is a species of the family of Dasyuridae.

Features

With a head fuselage length of 12.5 up to 31 cm and weighing 300 to 900 g it is the smallest of the Australian Quoll. The males are slightly larger and heavier than the females usually. The top is gray-brown or brown with the typical for the genus large white spots, the underside is cream or white. The species differs from other species of the genus by the combination of features of ungeflecktem cock and ball of the foot grooved on the five-pointed hind limb.

Dissemination

Originally, the dwarf Quoll was widespread throughout northern Australia from the Pilbara region in Western Australia to the south-east Queensland. After the colonization of the continent by Europeans, the area of ​​distribution shrank sharply together, but later than in closely related species. As one of the causes of this decline, the spread of 1935 introduced cane toad is considered.

Today, the kind only comes in 6 areas before: the Hamersley Range, North Kimberley, the northernmost tip of Cape York Peninsula, in the Atherton Tableland, Carnarvon Range and in the far north of the Northern Territory.

Habitat

Within the distribution area all wooded habitats are used as habitat, the highest population densities are achieved in rocky areas and open eucalyptus forests.

Way of life

Although the dwarf Quoll is mainly ground alive, he is a good climber and more arboreal than other quoll species. It feeds on small mammals, reptiles, insects, honey and soft fruits. As predators occur mainly dingoes and large owls, but only a few Quoll predators seem to fall victim to.

Endangering

The IUCN lists the dwarf Quoll as endangered (endangered ).