Dasyurus hallucatus
northern quoll

Dasyurus hallucatus now appears to be restricted to six areas in Australia: the Hamersley Range; the Northern Kimberley; northern and western Top End; Cape York tip; Atherton Tableland; and Carnarvon Range. In the past they lived over a larger range of northern Australia, extending from the Pilbara region of Western Australia to southeastern Queensland.

(Strahan, 1995)

This native cat is most abundant in broken, rocky country. They also inhabit eucalyptus forests that are no further than 150 kilometers from the coast. Populations tend to fare better in certain environments. In rocky habitats, males and females tend to live for two years. In savanna areas few males make it through the second year.

(Strahan, 1995)

Dasyurus hallucatus is the smallest of the four quoll species, weighing, at most, 2 pounds. Males tend to be larger than females, ranging in weight from 400 grams to 900 grams. Females weigh between 300 grams and 500 grams. Differences in weights between sexes can be observed as early as five months of age. Head and body length of D. hallucatus ranges from 240 to 350 millimeters and tail length ranges from 210 to 310 millimeters.

Individuals have prominent white or cream blotches on the back and side of their grey-brown to brown coat. The tip and entire ventral surface of the tail is dark brown or black. Their coat is generally short and coarse, with little underfur. They have five toes and striated pads on the hindfeet, which are probably an adaptation for climbing on smooth, rocky surfaces.

(Strahan, 1983; Grzimek, 1990; Schmitt, 1989; Nowak, 1991)

Little northern native cats are nocturnal, but some are occasionally seen during the daytime. During the day they sometimes nest in hollow trees or even abandoned buildings.

They have a putrid odor that keeps them from being eaten by people and other, large predators. They are primarily terrestrial but are also able to climb well, taking advantage of the friction-producing striations on their hindfeet. This adaptation is less indicative of arboreal life than of a rock-climbing lifestyle, especially smooth, rock surfaces.

(Nowak, 1991; Strahan, 1983)

Little northern native cats are very aggressive carnivores . Their diet varies and can include mammals such as Large Rock Rats, Common Rock Rats, and Sandstone Antechinus, as well as reptiles, worms, ants, termites, grasshoppers, beetles, figs and other soft fruits. During the activity of searching for food with their moist and dripping snoust, little northern native cats constantly emit audible sniffling sounds. These animals have huge appetites.

(Grzimek, 1990; Nowak, 1991; Strahan, 1995)

Native cats have been known to raid poultry yards, which makes them an annoyance to some farmers.

(Nowak, 1991)

Native cats destroy many mice and agricultural insect pests.

(Nowak, 1991)

There are three main reasons why populations of Dasyurus hallucatus are threatened. Introduced cats and dogs prey on little native cats, habitat destruction through human modifications have restricted their ranges, and an epidemic disease in the early part of the 20th century decimated the populations of many marsupial species in Australia.

(Nowak, 1991)

The diameter of the tail base of D. hallucatus may be an indicator of an individuals nutritional condition. This diameter apparently changes with the seasons.

(Schmitt, 1989)