Spotted-tailed Quoll (North Queensland)

Dasyurus maculatus gracilis

Australia's Threatened Species Category

Endangered

Listed since: 6/05/2016

IUCN's Threatened Species Category

Near Threatened

Listed since: 15/06/2015

Population trend: Decreasing

Other names: Yarri

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 Spotted-tailed Quoll is a distinctive marsupial carnivore endemic to eastern Australia. The average lifespan of Spotted-tailed Quolls is relatively short, with estimates of three years for animals in northern Queensland. The species is carnivorous, hunting on the ground and in trees feeding on a wide variety of prey including mammals, birds and reptiles. The north Queensland subspecies is confined to the relatively cool, wet and climatically equable upland closed-forests (mostly above 900 m altitude).

Threats

The greatest threat to the Spotted-tail Quoll is habitat loss and modification and aspects of the biology and ecology of Spotted-tailed Quolls render them especially susceptible to threatening processes. They are generally solitary and occupy large home ranges, and consequently occur at low population densities. They have a relatively short lifespan and a low overall reproductive output, with some females breeding only once or twice during their lives.