What is a spotted-tailed quoll?
The spotted-tailed quoll, also called the tiger quoll, is the largest surviving carnivorous marsupial on mainland Australia. It has reddish-brown fur covered in white spots, including on its tail.
Males can weigh up to about seven kilograms, making them powerful predators. They hunt at night, eating possums, gliders, birds, reptiles, insects and carrion. They climb trees well and can travel several kilometres in a night.
Spotted-tailed quolls live in forests of eastern Australia, from northern Queensland to Victoria, and in Tasmania. They are the only quoll with spots on the tail as well as the body.
Threats
The species is listed as endangered on the mainland. Habitat loss, competition with foxes and cats, road deaths and poisoning have reduced its numbers. Cane toads also threaten the northern population.
Quolls use shared latrine sites, where they leave droppings that act as communication points. Scientists survey these sites to monitor populations.
Four quoll species live in Australia: the spotted-tailed, eastern, western and northern quolls.
Did You Know?
Female quolls can give birth to up to six young, which cling to teats in a shallow pouch.