NeemsAnimals with attitude - the Spotted-tailed Quoll
October 18th 2006 22:26
The spotted tailed quoll (or Tiger Quoll) is the second largest carnivorous marsupial in the world, the Tassie Devil being the largest. The quoll is about the size of a possum. This quoll can be found in eastern parts of mainland Australia and also in Tasmania; it is considered vulnerable in mainland Australia and rare in Tasmania.
The Spotted-tailed quoll is a carnivore and usually kills its prey by biting them on the head. Its meals consist of animals such as small possums, rats, young or injured wallabies, lizards, insects, birds and eggs. The quolls live in hollow logs, under rocks, and in small caves. In Queensland, Spotted Tailed Quolls have been found in the granite boulder country in the SE of the state around Warwick and Stanthorpe.
The Spotted Tailed Quoll lives for about 2 to 3 years, not a long life span compared to other mammals. One of the reasons is the lifestyle they lead is not conducive to longevity; the males are constantly fighting over territory and female partners (how chivalrous), and the females are constantly fighting off marauding, lustful males.
One of the main reasons for the decline in quoll numbers is the clearing of habitat that is used for den sites. The quoll also faces competition and predation threats from introduced animals such as the fox. In northern quoll populations (northern spotted-tailed quoll) numbers have declined due to the quolls eating cane toads and the resultant poisoning that occurs. In this day and age, who’d want to be a quoll!? MB
Photos courtesy of QLD Dept. of Natural Resources and Water
"Don't mess with me..."
The Spotted-tailed quoll is a carnivore and usually kills its prey by biting them on the head. Its meals consist of animals such as small possums, rats, young or injured wallabies, lizards, insects, birds and eggs. The quolls live in hollow logs, under rocks, and in small caves. In Queensland, Spotted Tailed Quolls have been found in the granite boulder country in the SE of the state around Warwick and Stanthorpe.
The Spotted Tailed Quoll lives for about 2 to 3 years, not a long life span compared to other mammals. One of the reasons is the lifestyle they lead is not conducive to longevity; the males are constantly fighting over territory and female partners (how chivalrous), and the females are constantly fighting off marauding, lustful males.
One of the main reasons for the decline in quoll numbers is the clearing of habitat that is used for den sites. The quoll also faces competition and predation threats from introduced animals such as the fox. In northern quoll populations (northern spotted-tailed quoll) numbers have declined due to the quolls eating cane toads and the resultant poisoning that occurs. In this day and age, who’d want to be a quoll!? MB
Photos courtesy of QLD Dept. of Natural Resources and Water
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Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Thanks!
Comment by Chantal
They're so cute, too!
Comment by Anonymous