Facts About Marsupials
There are six species of quolls, fascinating marsupials found in Australia and New Guinea. These creatures are known for their spotted fur and carnivorous diet. The six species are:
- Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus): Found in Tasmania and extinct on mainland Australia.
- Found in Tasmania; extinct on mainland Australia.Known for its soft fur with white spots but lacks spots on its tail.
- Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus): The smallest species, inhabiting northern Australia.
- The smallest quoll species, weighing only 300-1,200 grams.Faces severe threats from invasive cane toads in its northern Australia habitat.
- Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii): Also called the Chuditch, found in Western Australia.Also called the Chuditch, found in Western Australia’s forests and woodlands.Once widespread, it now has a much-reduced range due to habitat loss.
- Spotted-Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus): The largest species, also known as the Tiger Quoll. The largest quoll species, with males weighing up to 7 kg.Prefers forests and rainforests; often called the Tiger Quoll for its striking appearance.
- New Guinean Quoll (Dasyurus albopunctatus): Found in New Guinea’s tropical forests. Native to New Guinea’s mountainous and tropical regions.Smaller and less studied than Australian species
- Bronze Quoll (Dasyurus spartacus): A recently identified species from southern New Guinea. Found in southern New Guinea; first described in 1987.Named for its bronze-colored fur, unique among quolls.