Northern Hopping-mouse
Notomys aquilo
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 26/03/2021
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 29/05/2015
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: Woorrentinta
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
The Northern Hopping-mouse is a small, nocturnal terrestrial rodent with a distinctive gait and its bipedal tracks can provide a sign of its presence. It's diet consists mostly of seeds and plant stems as well as some invertebrates. They construct complex burrow systems in deep sandy soils for shelter.
Threats
As Groote Eylandt is the only place where the species has been confirmed to occur over the last 25 years, the threats, corresponding conservation actions and threat status for the species focuses on Groote Eylandt, noting the possibility that the species does persist on the mainland. Their threats are predation by feral cats, habitat loss and alteration, inappropriate fire regimes and grazing and trampling by introduced 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