saveeumundi.org

There have been sightings and evidence of quoll in the Eerwah Vale / Ridgewood area. Further evidence will prove what we already know – that this is a vitally important and significant habitat for rare and endangered species.

Look out for the Northern Quoll and the Spotted Tail Quoll and let us know of any sightings or evidence of these endangered species.
Note: the Northern Quoll does not have a spotted tail and is smaller than the Spotted Tail Quoll.

Spotted Tail quoll

The following information is from the Queensland Govt. Environmental Protection Agency website – reproduced with thanks (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/threatened_plants_and_animals/endangered/queenslands_quolls/)

Northern Quoll

Scientific name: Dasyurus hallucatus (Dasy = hairy; urus = tail; hallucatus = refers to the presence of a hallux or big toe on the hind foot)
Animal group: Marsupial carnivores
Description:
Head–body length: 123–310mm (males); 125–300mm (females)
Tail length: 127–308 mm (males); 200–300 mm (females)
Weight: 400–900 g (males); 300–500 g (females)

Habitat and distribution

Their distribution ranges over northern Australia including the northern and eastern half of Queensland. The present distribution of the northern quoll has contracted throughout its former range and in Queensland it is now fragmented into a number of populations with the highest densities found in Cape York, the Atherton Tablelands and the Mackay–Whitsunday area.

Northern quoll

Occasionally there are records of northern quolls as far south as Maleny on the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Behaviour and reproduction

Females lack a pouch but the area develops around the six or eight teats, creating a flap of skin that helps to contain the young. The young are born in July after a short gestation period of just less than a month and are carried by the mother for another eight to ten weeks. After this time the young detach from the teats and are suckled in a nest until they are five months old. Up to one-third of a litter may die during this period. The surviving young have been observed still suckling from the mother on a stretched teat while clinging to her back.

Threatening processes

Habitat destruction for agriculture and urban development is the main threat facing the northern quoll. The fragmentation of its habitat then exposes it to a range of other threats ranging from vehicle mortality and predation by feral animals to poisoning by cane toads.

Recovery actions

There is a need to raise community awareness about northern quolls to ensure that they receive greater protection outside protected areas. In particular, landholders need to be encouraged to protect these animals on private land through habitat protection and responsible pet management. Building quoll-proof poultry yards will ensure that quolls are no longer a problem to poultry.