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)

All native cats appear to be monoestrous, winter breeders. The most successful reproduction of Dasyurus hallucatus occurs near creeklines due to the constant supply of water. In late June mating occurs and up to eight young are born between late July and September (during the dry season). At birth the young measure only about 3 millimeters in length. Females lack a pouch; however, in May the area surrounding their eight mammae becomes enlarged and partially surrounded by a flap of skin. Young are carried by the mother for eight to ten weeks. As many as one-third of them may be lost by September. The young are suckled in the nest until they are about five months old, they reach full maturity by 10 to 11 months.

Reproductive seasonality occurs in this species. Both sexes usually survive to reproduce in subsequent mating seasons, however there is some evidence that males have a higher turnover, with some of them dying after mating.

(Schmitt, 1989; Nowak, 1991; Strahan, 1995)

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 destroy many mice and agricultural insect pests.

(Nowak, 1991)

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

(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)