Sminthopsis longicaudata
long-tailed dunnart

The long-tailed dunnart, -Sminthopsis longicaudata-, is native to northwestern Western Australia where it inhabits rugged, rocky outcrops (Burbidge et al. 1995, Nowak 1999).

Habitat is restricted to rugged, rocky outcrops of the western arid region of Australia (Burbidge et al 1995).

The long-tailed dunnart has an average head and body length of 80-100mm for males and 80-90mm for females. The most distinct characteristic for identification of -Sminthopsis longicaudata- is a tail that is more than twice the length of the body; in males tail length ranges from 200-210mm and in females tail length is between 180-200mm. The tail is mostly scaly with a few short hairs; the end of the tail has longer hairs that form a brush-like tip. The fur on the dorsal part of the body is gray, while the underbelly is pale cream to white in color. The legs and the feet are white; the feet being slender and having striated or granulated pads. The head is somewhat flattened in shape with a long snout (Burbidge et al. 1995, Nowak 1999).

There is no information on reproduction in -S. longicaudata- in the wild, but some studies have been performed on captive animals (Wooley and Valente 1986). Females are polyestrus, with estrous periods lasting from August through December (Burbidge et al. 1995, Wooley and Valente 1986). Estrous cycles last from 51 to 30 days, with each cycle shorter than the one previous to it (Wooley and Valente 1986). Parturition occurs between 17 and 19 days after mating, and the young are fully enclosed in the pouch for the first three weeks after parturition. The female's pouch contains six nipples (Wooley and Valente 1986).

The age at which an individual of this species reaches sexual maturity is unknown (Wooley and Valente 1986).

Long-tailed dunnarts are nocturnal, terrestrial animals (Nowak 1999). Physical evidence suggests that they may be capable of climbing (Burbidge et al. 1995). Dunnarts dig burrows or build nests of grass and leaves in hollow logs and stumps (Nowak 1999) and in cold conditions may become torpid (Burbidge et al. 1995).

In captivity, -S. longicaudata- can be maintained in small groups if ample space and nesting sites are available. Females with litters have been recorded attacking adult males (Nowak 1999).

The diet of -S. longicaudata- is primarily insectivorous. The bulk of their diet consists of arthropods, spiders, roaches, centipedes, grasshoppers, flies, and various larvae (Burbidge et al. 1995). Occasionally lizards, mice, and other small vertebrates are consumed (Nowak 1999).

In western Australia there appear to be only three wild populations of -S. longicaudata-, two occuring in national parks and the other in a nature reserve (Burbidge et al 1995).

Until 1981, -S. longicaudata- was only known from a few museum specimens. In June of 1981, nine individuals were captured from the wild, allowing for the study of living specimens to begin. There are still relatively little data available on the natural history of -S. longicaudata-, with most of the research having been conducted on captive animals (Wooley and Valente 1986, Nowak 1999).