Red-cheeked dunnart

Sminthopsis virginiae

Sminthopsis virginiae is a Beutelsäugerart from the kind of Schmalfuß Bag mice.

Description

The body length is 80 mm to 135 mm, the tail is 87 mm to 135 mm long, the ear 12 mm to 13 mm. The weight varies between 18 g and 75 g Main recognition of this kind are the distinctive red cheeks hair. The tail is pink and thin.

Distribution and habitat

This species is endemic to Australia and New Guinea.

• The range of the subspecies S. virginiae virginiae lies entirely in Queensland, on the Gulf of Carpentaria and the north-eastern coasts and from Mackay to Cape York.
• The subspecies S. virginiae nitela lives in the region of Kimberley in the Northern Territory.
• S. virginiae rufigensis lives in New Guinea.

The habitat consists of woodlands, grasslands and peatlands.

Reproduction

Little is known about the behavior of this kind. The mating season is between October and March. The gestation period is 15 days. With 65 to 70 days the young are weaned.

Nutrition

The food of this species consists mainly of reptiles.

Inventory and risk

The IUCN lists the species as " safely " ( least concern ).