Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus)

MammalMarsupialCarnivore

Overview

Quolls (genus Dasyurus) are spotted, cat-sized marsupial carnivores of Australia and New Guinea. They have pointed snouts, sharp teeth, and brown-to-black fur covered in distinctive white spots. The spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), shown here, is the largest of the group and the only one whose spots extend onto the tail. Quolls are relatives of the Tasmanian devil within the same family of marsupial carnivores (Dasyuridae).

Agile and largely nocturnal, quolls are important small predators in their ecosystems, but several species have declined and now need conservation help.

Conservation note: quoll species vary in status, and some are threatened by habitat loss, introduced predators, and poisoning from invasive cane toads. Verify each species' status at iucnredlist.org.

Habitat & Range

Different quoll species occupy different habitats across Australia and New Guinea, including rainforest, eucalypt forest, woodland, heath, and rocky areas. The spotted-tailed quoll favours forests with plenty of cover and den sites such as hollow logs, rock crevices, and burrows. Quolls generally need reasonably intact habitat with enough prey.

Diet

Quolls are carnivores. Smaller species feed largely on insects and other invertebrates plus small vertebrates, while the large spotted-tailed quoll takes sizeable prey such as birds, reptiles, and mammals up to the size of small wallabies and possums, and also scavenges carrion. They are capable, opportunistic hunters.

Behavior

Quolls are mostly solitary and nocturnal, sheltering by day in dens and hunting on the ground and in trees at night; the spotted-tailed quoll is a particularly good climber. Like other marsupials, females raise their young in or attached to a pouch area. Quolls use shared latrine sites to communicate, and they can travel considerable distances within their home ranges.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Quolls have suffered from European settlement of Australia, through habitat clearing, introduced predators (foxes and cats), persecution, and — for some — fatal poisoning when they bite invasive cane toads. Several species are now threatened and are the focus of conservation programs, including predator control and reintroductions. Consult the IUCN Red List and Australian authorities for species-specific status.

More photos of the quoll