Ooldea dunnart

Sminthopsis ooldea is a species in the genus Schmalfuß Bag mice ( Sminthopsis ), which is endemic to Australia.

Description

This Dasyuridae is very similar to its relatives Sminthopsis hirtipes. The coat color is gray yellow on the back, abdomen white with dark spots on the head and forehead. The tail is sparsely haired and carrot shaped. The total body length is between 115 mm and 173 mm, with the tail makes up 60 mm to 93 mm length. The ear length is 14 mm to 17 mm. The weight varies between 10 g and 18 g

Distribution & Habitat

The range of this Schmalfuß bag mouse extends from the Tanamiwüste in the Northern Territory in the neighboring areas of Western Australia until after Ooldea in South Australia; to this place referred to by the epithet ooldea. The species inhabits arid eucalyptus and acacia forests, grassy hillsides and scrubland.

Reproduction

The eight young are born between September to November. Nothing more is known about the reproduction. The species is nocturnal and lives in burrows and hollow logs.

Nutrition

It is believed that S. ooldea feeds on insects.

Threat

This species is not threatened. The IUCN lists them as " safely " ( least concern ).

Swell

• Groves, C. (November 16, 2005). in Wilson, DE, and Reeder, DM ( eds ): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, ISBN 0-801-88221-4 36.
• Australasian Marsupial & Monotreme Specialist Group (1996). Sminthopsis ooldea. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Accessed on 30 August 2006.
• Menkhorst, P.; Knight, F. ( 2001). A field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Press. ISBN 0-19-550870- X