New Holland Mouse
Pseudomys novaehollandiae
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 14/07/2010
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Vulnerable
Listed since: 31/12/2012
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: Pookila
Priority Species? Yes
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
A small, burrowing native rodent, the New Holland Mouse is similar in size and appearance to the introduced House Mouse, although it can be distinguished by its slightly larger ears and eyes, and the absence of a distinctive 'mousy odour'. The species is now largely restricted to the coast of central and northern NSW, with one inland occurrence near Parkes. The New Holland Mouse is nocturnal and omnivorous, with seeds forming a main component of its diet and the species has been found to peak in abundance during the early to mid stages of vegetation succession three to five years after fire.
Threats
The threats to the New Holland Mouse are loss and modification of habitat due to land development, forestry and agriculture, inappropriate fire management, predation and climate change.
Quollity Conservation Hub's Vulnerability Score:
59
To help compare the relative vulnerability of different species, we have developed a scoring system based on biological and ecological characteristics that influence a species' ability to survive and recover from environmental change and natural disasters.
The framework is adapted from assessment methods used by conservation experts following the Black Summer bushfires to help identify species most in need of conservation action, research, and recovery funding.
Each species is assessed using a range of factors, including its conservation status, lifespan, reproductive rate, habitat and dietary requirements, ability to disperse or recover after fire, and the number and severity of threats it faces.
In general, the higher a species' score, the greater its overall vulnerability and risk of decline or extinction.
Like all conservation assessments, this scoring system is limited by the information currently available. Many threatened species remain poorly studied and receive limited research funding, meaning some assessments rely on the best available scientific knowledge or information from closely related species. As new research becomes available, scores may be updated to reflect our improved understanding.