Julia Creek Dunnart
Sminthopsis douglasi
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 7/12/116
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Near Threatened
Listed since: 15/06/2015
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: None
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 Julia Creek Dunnart in endemic to north-western Queensland. It is a nocturnal, terrestrial marsupial and lives in tussock grasslands on cracking clay soils where they shelter in the cracks during the day during dry periods or under vegetations after rain. It is mainly insectivorous, consuming particularly crickets, spiders and cockroaches as well as some reptiles.
Threats
Feral cats have been shown to prey on this species heavily and pose a severe threat to this species. Other threats include habitat degradation and change due to weed invasion, livestock and feral herbivores.
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