Quoll

Quolls are carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus native to Australia and New Guinea.

Quolls are carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus native to Australia and New Guinea. They are mostly nocturnal, have spotted coats, and are sometimes called native cats. Six species are currently recognised, with additional extinct species known from fossils.

Taxonomy and classification

Quolls belong to the genus Dasyurus in the family Dasyuridae. The group includes six living species, and fossil evidence indicates additional extinct species in Australia.

Description and behaviour

Quolls are spotted marsupials with pointed snouts, long tails, and sharp teeth. They are mainly nocturnal and spend much of the day in dens, hollow logs, or similar shelter.

Distribution and habitat

Quolls are found in Australia and New Guinea. In Australia, they occur in several regions including Tasmania and parts of the mainland, where different species occupy different habitats.

Diet and ecology

Quolls are predators and scavengers that eat a range of small animals and insects. They can also help control prey populations such as rodents, which makes them ecologically important.

Conservation

Some quoll species have declined because of habitat loss, introduced predators, disease, and other pressures. Conservation status varies by species, with some listed as threatened.