#dasyuridae

Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), family Dasyuridae, order Dasyuromorphia, Canberra, Australia

A fat tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) in Australia

Woolley's False Antechinus Pseudantechinus woolleyae

A small carnivorous marsupial found in the Australian state of Western Australia. They inhabit rocky hillsides, usually vegetated with acacia scrub or spinifex grass.

Brush Up on the Brush-tailed phascogale

The brush-tailed phascogale, also known as common wambenger (Nyungar), or tuan (Gubbi Gubbi), the black-tailed mousesack, or Phascogale tapoatafa is a species of marsupial found dry, open eucalyptus forests around Australia's coast. There are three distinct subspecies scattered along the eastern coast, the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and Cape Leeuwin in south Western Australia respectively.

Wambenger are fairly small; adults weigh between 110-235 g (3.8-8.2 oz) and reach up to 23 cm (9 in) length. The tail is the length of the body, and tipped with thick-brush like fur. The rest of the body is grey, and they have a white underbelly. P. tapoatafa has a rodent-like appearance, with a pointed nose and large ears.

Tuan spend most of their time in trees, and rarely come down onto the ground. They forage at night for insects, smaller mammals, birds and eggs, lizards, and flowers that they can drink nectar from. They are often predated upon by owls, as well as introduced cats and foxes. Adults are solitary, females occupy their own territories which they fiercely defend outside the breeding season.

Breeding occurs from June to August. Females establish nests in tree hollows or stumps. Males expend large amounts of energy competing against other males and mating with as many females as possible. Females gestate for about 30 days, and give birth to 7-8 young. These remain in her pouch for 7 weeks, and then remain in the nest until they are 5 months old. Males die during or shortly after breeding in their first year, while females rarely live to be older than 2 years old.

Conservation status: The IUCN has classified the brush-tailed phascogale as Near Threatened. Due to their small and patchy distribution, they are extremely vulnerable to habitat destruction.

Photos

Albert Wright

Ken Stepnell

Vicious little paintbrush critters my beloved <33

From wikipedia: "The kowari is an opportunistic and voracious hunter, with its regular diet including the long-haired rat, house mice, geckoes, insects and other arthropods, including centipedes. Most animals of equal or smaller size to the kowari may be considered prey if the opportunity arises, including birds. Kowaris kill with strong bites to the head, although they do not always strike the optimal location."

In case anyone can't read the portion of this person's ask that is dark, I'll copy it down: From wikipedia: "The kowari is an opportunistic and voracious hunter, with its regular diet including the long-haired rat, house mice, geckoes, insects and other arthropods, including centipedes. Most animals of equal or smaller size to the kowari may be considered prey if the opportunity arises, including birds. Kowaris kill with strong bites to the head, although they do not always strike the optimal location."