Long-tailed dunnart

The long-tailed dunnart (Antechinomys longicaudatus) is an Australian dunnart that, like the little long-tailed dunnart, has a tail longer than its body. It is also one of the larger dunnarts at a length from snout to tail of 260–306 mm (10.2–12.0 in) of which head to anus is 80–96 mm (3.1–3.8 in) and tail 180–210 mm (7.1–8.3 in) long. Hind foot size is 18 mm (0.71 in), ear length of 21 mm (0.83 in) and with a weight of 15–20 g (0.53–0.71 oz).

Long-tailed dunnart
Long-tailed dunnart specimen
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Dasyuromorphia
Family:	Dasyuridae
Genus:	Antechinomys
Species:	A. longicaudatus
Binomial name
Antechinomys longicaudatus (Spencer, 1909)
Long-tailed dunnart range
Synonyms
Sminthopsis longicaudata

Distribution and habitat

In Western Australia it is known from the Pilbara and eastern coast to the NE goldfields and Gibson desert (Young Ranges) south to the Nullarbor Plain, to central Northern Territory and western South Australia. Its habitat includes Acacia, rocky screes with hummock grass and shrubs, and tall open shrubland and woodlands.

Social organisation and breeding

A nocturnal species, this marsupial has great agility for jumping. When breeding during October–November, it burrows a hole under logs and makes its nests out of grass. The litter is of up to 6 joeys. It is locally considered to be endangered, but the IUCN Red List indicates that it is of least concern.

Diet

It eats invertebrates like ants, beetles and centipedes.