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Home > Native Plants & Animals > Animals of Tasmania > Mammals > Carnivorous Marsupials and Bandicoots > White-footed Dunnart

White-footed Dunnart

Perhaps the least well-known of the Tasmanian marsupials is the tiny white-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis leucopus). This small (20-30 grams) carnivorous marsupial is one of a dozen or so described species of dunnart occuring in Australia.

Confined to Tasmania and the extreme south east coast of mainland Australia, the white-footed dunnart is found in a variety of habitats, ranging from rainforest, open forest and dry coastal heath. It also occurs on Flinders Island.

It is nocturnal and feeds on invertebrates, lizards. During daylight hours, the animal rests in tree hollows, rotting logs, wood piles and other such sites. Individuals are often only noticed after hollowed trees have been cut down - revealing the importance of hollow trees for this and numerous other species.

Birth occurs in spring. Up to eight young are born (there are eight teats).

The white-footed dunnart is presumed to be secure, largely on the basis of the wide variety of habitats in which it is able to occur. However, insufficient information is available to form an accurate assessment of its conservation status.

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This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/BHAN-5374SS?open - was last published on 12 September 2009 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to NatureConservation Enquiries by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone to 03 6233 6556.

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