Slender-tailed Dunnart
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[Photo] Source: "Mammals of Australia", Vol. I Plate 35 Part of the 3 Volumes by John Gould, F.R.S. Published by the author, 26 Charlotte Street, Bedford Square, London, 1863
The Slender-tailed Dunnart (Smithopsis murina), also known as the Common Dunnart in Australia, is a dasyurid marsupial closely related to the Tasmanian Devil. It has an average body length of 7 to 12 centimeters (2.8-4.7 in) with a tail length of 5.5 to 13 centimetres (2.2-5.1 in). It weighs 25-40.8 grams for males and 16.5-25.4 grams for females.
Distribution and habitat
The Slender-tailed Dunnart is native to the east and south-east coast and interiour of Australia, from the Cape York Peninsula to the Port Lincoln area of South Australia. There a 2 subspecies: S. m. murina is found throughout the distribution, and S. mu. tatei found between Townsville and Cairns in Queensland. This species is found at altitudes of between 60-360 metres (196.9-1181.1 ft) and preferes habitats with an average rainfall between 30-85 centimetres (11.8-33.5 in) per year. Habitats encountered include Mallee scrub, dry forests and woodlands and dry heath, these areas have sparce ground and shrub cover but have dense leaf and bark litter in Victoria to rainforest edges and swamps in Queensland.
Breeding and socialization
The Slender-tailed Dunnart's breeding season begins in New South Wales between September and March each year, with the female breeding again after weaning the first offspring (B.J. Fox 1982). The female may live to breed a second year, although the male generally dies after mating. Gestation is for 12.5 days with weening at 60-65 days and the litter size is usually 8-10 joeys. In unfavourable conditions and to save food, topor is sometimes a factor in the species life habit, but it is only documented in areas of extreme environmental factors. The species is nocturnal. (Fox and Whitford 1982)
Diet
An oportunistic arthropod feeder, found that a preference for beetles and moths with other prey less eaten than what was available. (Fox and Archer)
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