Brush-tailed Rabbit-rat
Conilurus penicillatus
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 15/07/2016
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 18/07/2015
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: Brush-tailed Tree-rat, Pakooma
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Brush-tailed Rabbit-rat is a moderately large arboreal rat with a long brush-tipped tail and long ears. They prefer tall eucalypt forests away from wet areas in sites that have not been exposed to recent severe fires. They shelter during the day in tree hollow and hollow logs with their diet consisting mainly of grass seeds.
Threats
The threats facing this species are high frequency of extensive and intense fires, habitat loss and predation by feral cats.
Useful links for more detailed information on this species
DCCEEW - Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
SPRAT - DCCEEW Species Profile and Threats Database