| Narrow-nosed Planigale[1] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Genus: | Planigale |
| Species: | P. tenuirostris |
| Binomial name | |
| Planigale tenuirostris Troughton, 1928 |
|
| Narrow-nosed Planigale range | |
The Narrow-nosed Planigale (Planigale tenuirostris) is a species of very small marsupial carnivore of the family Dasyuridae.
Contents |
The Narrow-nosed Planigale was described by Ellis Le Geyt Troughton in 1928, separating it from the Common Planigale (P. maculata) with which it had previously been associated. The scientific name for the species means "slender-snouted flat-weasel".[3]
The Narrow-nosed Planigale differs from other planigales in its more rufous colouring and smaller size – only the Long-tailed Planigale is smaller. It is an active hunter of various invertebrates,[4] including beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders and moths and is known as a fearless and pugnacious predator.[3] Its flattened head is used as a wedge to prize apart grass stems and turn over leaves in the leaf litter. It will often attack prey larger than itself. It is a nocturnal species and in winter is primarily crepuscular.[3]
The Narrow-nosed Planigale is found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Northern Territory in a wide range of inland habitats.[4] It prefers areas with cracked clay soil.