Smoky Mouse

Pseudomys fumeus

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Endangered

Listed since: 1/09/2020

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Vulnerable

Listed since: 26/07/2015

Population trend: Decreasing

Other names: Konoom

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 population undergoes large annual fluctuations in abundance, with a rapid decline in numbers just before the breeding season due to the death or dispersal of young, which are forced to vacate their natal territory during autumn as food resources decline. The diet of Smoky Mouse includes seeds, berries, underground fungi, flowers, and some invertebrates.

Threats

The primary threats to the Smoky Mouse are predation by feral cats and foxes with the impacts of predation may be magnified where too frequent or high-intensity bushfires occur, and during drought periods, and habitat destruction from land clearance, logging and development activities. The Smoky Mouse generally doesn�t occur in disturbed areas and is found in a range of vegetation communities including coastal and subalpine heath.