Northern Quoll

Dasyurus hallucatus

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Endangered

Listed since: 12/04/2005

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Endangered

Listed since: 15/06/2015

Population trend: Decreasing

Other names: Digul [Gogo-Yimidir], Wijingadda [Dambimangari], Wiminji [Martu]

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 Quoll is the smallest of the Quoll species and is a solitary carnivorous marsupial that makes its den in rock crevices and tree holes. They are predominantly nocturnal and have short life spans, with males living to approximately 1 year and the oldest recorded female being 3 years. Northern Quolls consume of wide variety of prey including beetles, grasshoppers and hunt a wide variety of vertebrates including possums, rats, snakes and frogs.

Threats

The most noticeable threat that is currently observed is the result of the lethal ingestion of Cane Toad toxin which has substantially declined the population over the last 10 years and it is predicted that Cane Toads will colonise all of the Northern Quoll's range within the next 10-20 years.