saveeumundi.org

There are two subspecies of spotted-tailed quoll: the northern quoll and the southern spotted tailed quoll. Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 the northern is listed as endangered and the southern is vulnerable. The EPBC Act 1999 lists both subspecies as nationally endangered.

Northern Quoll	Spotted tail quoll

Northern quoll

The northern quoll is the smallest of the quolls and varies from grey-brown to brown in colour with large white patches on its body (no white patches on its tail). Its chest and belly are cream or white in colour. It has a pointed face similar to many of the smaller marsupial carnivores. It can be distinguished from the other quolls by its small size, unspotted tail and the clearly striated (ridged) pads on its hind feet with 5 toes that assist in climbing.

The northern quoll lives in a range of open woodland and open forest types preferring rocky areas. Its greatest breeding success is known to occur at sites near water. It is nocturnal and equally at home on the ground or when climbing in trees.  It shelters in tree hollows and feeds on a variety of prey ranging from insects and reptiles to small mammals and even fruit. It is known to be aggressive in behaviour when disturbed. Adults become sexually mature at 12 months and live for two to three years.

Spotted tail quoll

The spotted-tailed quoll ranges in colour from rich-brown to dark brown with white spots of varying size scattered over both the body and the tail. The fur on the underside is paler. The head has a distinctive pink-red nose and short rounded ears that just extend above the outline of the head. In size it is similar to a cat but with a more elongated body and shorter legs. When moving quickly it bounds and it is also an agile climber. It is known for its yawning gape – like the Tasmanian devil. When threatened it opens its jaws widely and gives a piercing scream. It is also vocal when looking for a mate or when another quoll is in its territory.

The spotted-tailed quoll is usually nocturnal and solitary. It eats a range of animals either as prey or carrion, including insects, reptiles, birds and mammals up the size of a small wallaby. It is also known for killing chickens. It kills all of the birds present instead of just catching and eating one.

Quolls are territorial with overlapping home ranges. The home ranges of individuals vary from 100-200 ha for the northern to 580 ha for the spotted-tailed. Communal latrine sites can be found where these home ranges overlap and they advertise its territory and its readiness to mate. Being a secretive animal it is more likely to be discovered from the tracks and scats that it leaves behind.

Tracking quolls