Stripe-faced Dunnart

The Striped-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura) is an Australian marsupial. This dunnart has an average length of 155-198 mm from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail, snout to anus distance of 75-98 mm, a tail measuring 80-100 mm and an ear length of 17-18 mm. Its weight varies between 15-25 grams. It has a dark stripe between its ears on top of the snout to the nose. The tail is a little fat at the base but becomes slender at the end.

Although this species is described by the IUCN as of "least concern", the NSW Threatened Species website lists it as "vulnerable".^[2]

Distribution and habitat

This dasyurid is found throughout central Australia from the Pilbara to central Northern Territory, western and central Queensland, south to north-east South Australia to north and west New South Wales. It inhabits sandy soils with dune hummock grasslands, tussock grasslands and scrublands.

Social organisation and breeding

The Stripe-faced Dunart breeds from July through February and has a gestation period of 11 days, the shortest of any mammal. The 6-8 joeys have a pouch life of 40 days and are weaned at 70 days. There are usually 2 litters per season.

Diet

This dunnart's diet consists of small invertebrate ( termites and spiders)and also some small reptiles

References

• Menkhorst, P.; Knight, F. (2001). A field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Press. ISBN 0-19-550870-X. 
• Groves, C. (2005). Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M, eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 35. OCLC 62265494. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3. 

External links

• Stripe-faced Dunnart
• NSW threatened species
• TheWebsiteOfEverything.com
• Australian Biological Resources Study