marsupial marten. Lifestyle and habitat of the marsupial marten. Spotted marsupial martens Spotted marsupial marten interesting facts

The spotted marsupial marten, which is also called the marsupial cat, is a member of the carnivorous marsupial family. It lives in Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania and forms a genus consisting of 6 species. Of these, 4 species live in Australia, and 2 in New Guinea. In addition, 2 fossil species are known, whose remains were found in Queensland. Species vary in size and weight, which ranges from 300 g to 7 kg.

The body length of adults is 25-75 cm. The hairy tail is 20-35 cm long. Males are larger than females. The latter have 6 nipples and brood bags, which acquire volumetric forms during the breeding season. The rest of the time they are folds on the skin. The bags open back towards the tail. The only exception is one species - spotted-tailed marsupial martens. They have a well-defined pouch all year round.

The muzzle is long, the nose is bright pink, the ears are small. The coat is soft, thick, short and has a brown or black color on the back and sides, diluted with white spots. The belly is white or light yellow. As for weight, it varies markedly depending on the species. Basically, males weigh up to 1.3 kg, and females up to 0.9 kg. The largest species is the spotted marsupial marten. Males weigh about 7 kg, and females 4 kg. The smallest is the northern marsupial marten. The weight of males is 400-900 g, and the mass of females is 300-500 g.

Reproduction and lifespan

The breeding season is winter months(in southern hemisphere winter in June-August). Pregnancy in females is 3 weeks. At this time, the folds on the abdomen are transformed into a pouch. There are up to 18 cubs in a litter. They are small and about the size of a grain of rice. During the first 2 weeks, no more than 6 cubs remain alive, since the female has only 6 nipples.

Babies sit in their mother's pouch for 8 weeks. During the 9th week, they move from the bag to the back, where they remain for another 6 weeks. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 1 year. AT wild nature The spotted marsupial marten lives from 2 to 5 years. Large species live longer than small ones. In captivity, life expectancy is 3-4 years.

Behavior and nutrition

These are nocturnal animals. They rarely search for prey during the daytime. They are mostly terrestrial, but are often found in trees. The lair is arranged in caves, among stones, in hollow logs. Single lifestyle. Each adult has its own territory. At the same time, the territories of males often overlap with the territories of females. Remarkable common areas for toilets. Sometimes they have up to 100 litters. During the breeding season, males bond with females.

The diet consists of small mammals, not exceeding the size of rabbits, but it all depends on the size of marsupial predators. Smaller species mainly eat insects, birds, frogs, lizards, and fruits. And here large species they eat echidnas, opossums, hares, rats, mice, birds and reptiles. In times of famine, carrion is eaten. Animals chase their prey while hunting. Having caught up, they jump on it and close their jaws on the victim's neck. They drink little, getting water from food.

Representatives of the species are suffering from urbanization, housing construction, the expansion of agricultural fields and development mining industry. Habitats are destroyed by large herbivores, trampling grass and thickets. As a result, the number of spotted marsupial martens has declined markedly in Australia. These animals are listed in the Red Book. As for New Guinea and Tasmania, the animals feel safer there, and their numbers do not cause serious concern.

(Dasyurus viverrinus) - an animal the size of a small cat; body length - 45 cm, tail - up to 30 cm, weight - up to 1.5 kg. Fur color varies from black to yellowish brown; white spots cover the entire body, except for fluffy tail which has a white tip. The muzzle is pointed. Unlike other species of spotted marsupial martens, the quoll lacks the first toes on its hind limbs.

Speckled Marten in the Moscow Zoo

Quolls were once common in southeastern Australia, but after the epizootic -1903 and as a result of uncontrolled extermination, their number began to decline, and now they have practically disappeared on the continent (the last quolls were seen in the suburb of Sydney Vaucluse in the 60s of the XX century); however, they are still common in Tasmania. Quolls are found mainly in moist rainforests, in river valleys, where the rainfall exceeds 600 mm per year; although until the 1930s In the 20th century, they could often be found in gardens and even attics of suburban houses. The way of life is solitary and nocturnal. They usually hunt on the ground, but they are good at climbing trees. The main food of the quoll is insect pests. After colonizing Australia, they began to prey on poultry, rabbits, rats and mice and exterminated by farmers for the ruin of poultry houses. The main food competitor of the quoll is

The speckled marsupial marten belongs to the family of carnivorous marsupials. These animals live in Tasmania. Once these martens lived throughout southeastern Australia, but foxes, dogs and cats brought to the mainland in the 20th century exterminated speckled marsupial martens.

In addition, these animals hunted domestic birds, and therefore people began to destroy them by setting traps and laying out poisoned baits.

And this is completely in vain, since martens destroy rodents, insects and other pests. However, in 1901 there was an epidemic, and it completed their work for people - the number of speckled marsupial martens was significantly reduced.

The locals called these animals "kuol", which translates as "cat-tiger", and the settlers, having heard this name, began to call the speckled martens "kwolls". Naturally, the speckled marsupial marten is very far from the bloodthirsty tiger, but with domestic cat he has a lot in common. First of all, they have almost identical dimensions - the body length of the marten is about 45 centimeters, the height at the withers is 15 centimeters, the tail length is 30 centimeters, and the weight is about 1.5 kilograms.

The color of this animal varies from yellowish brown to black. The whole body is strewn with light spots, diversified different shapes, while the spots on the back and sides are much larger than on the head.

The tail has a solid color without specks. The belly is light. muzzle speckled marten elongated with a cute pointed nose. The ears are medium in size, rounded.

These animals lead night image life, in the dark it is easier for them to catch a small mammal, a ground bird or destroy a nest. In addition, quolls feed on insects, sometimes consuming carrion. From time to time they raid farms, where they strangle any birds that come across. Particularly courageous individuals are not afraid to sneak into a dwelling and steal food directly from the kitchens.

Due to their lifestyle, speckled martens have a very cautious stalking gait, but they can also make lightning-fast and jerky movements. These animals spend most of their lives on the ground, they climb trees very reluctantly, they do it poorly.

Listen to the voice of the marsupial marten

If there is an urgent need, then the marten can climb the sloping trunk. In too hot time, the animals hide in caves, in tree trunks, between stones. Martens drag bark and grass into these shelters, building nests.

The breeding season runs from May to September. During this period it is winter in Australia. One female gives birth to more than 4 babies, in captivity one speckled marsupial marten gave birth to 24 cubs. But, unfortunately, only those babies survive who are the first to find the nipple and attach to it, and there are only 6 nipples in the mother's pouch, therefore, only 6 of the strongest cubs survive.

The brood pouch of these martens is completely different from the kangaroo pouch: it is formed only during the breeding season, and is turned towards the tail. The babies do not leave the mother's pouch for about 8 weeks, after which they sit in the den while the female hunts.

The marsupial marten is the second largest marsupial predator Australia, which is second only to . The name of the species was due to some resemblance to a true cat and a marten. In addition, the animal is also known as a "quolla" or tiger cat.

The body length of the marsupial marten is from 25 to 75 cm, the tail is 20-60 cm long, the weight varies widely from 900 g (for Dasyurus hallucatus) to 4-7 kg (for Dasyurus maculatus). The females are smaller. The fur is short, thick and soft; tail cover over long hair. Ears are small. The tail is strong and thick.

The back and sides of the animal are from gray-yellow to black with white spots, the belly is white, gray or yellow. Females have 6-8 nipples. Brood bag opens back. Canines and molars are well developed.

The marsupial marten goes hunting at night. Her diet is quite varied. It features reptiles, birds and their eggs, rabbits and other small mammals. Great strength and size allow the animal to hunt also larger animals (arboreal opossum, heron, young wallaby). Bold and agile, the marsupial marten becomes cautious and patient when necessary.

Since this species lives in forests, climbing tree trunks, they destroy the nests of birds, guard the latter among the branches or catch them right on the fly. They can also hunt sleeping birds.

The marsupial marten lives in eastern Australia and on the island of Tasmania, is under protection, and is quite rare. Mostly for life, this animal chooses rain, cool forests and thickets along the banks of water bodies.

Common types of marsupial marten

Widespread on the island New Guinea, where he lives in the highlands at altitudes up to 3600 m above sea level. In addition, it lives on the Yapen Islands in humid tropical forests. In garden plots he hunts rats.

The smallest species of its kind with a body length of 240 to 350 mm, a tail in length of 210 to 310 mm. Average weight 450 g. The coat is thick and coarse, with a slight undercoat. The back is brown with white spots. The tail is dark brown or black.

This species can now be found exclusively in the eucalyptus forests in the southwest. Western Australia. It is listed in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable. natural environment habitats are deserts, meadows, sclerophyte forests, coastal areas with thickets of shrubs.

The mass of adult males is 0.7-2 kg, females - 0.6-1.12 kg. The body length of males is from 310 to 400 mm, for females - from 260 to 360 mm. The tail of males is 250-350 mm long, females - 210-310 mm. The fur is soft. The back and sides are brown or black, with white spots. The belly is creamy white. The muzzle is elongated, pointed, light. The ears are large, rounded, with a white border. The eyes are large. Paws are short.

small view with a weight of males up to 900 g, and a body length in the range of 25-35 cm. The coat is short and coarse, gray-brown or gray color, with white spots; the tip of the tail is black.

Previously, the species was distributed over a fairly wide range from the Pilbara in Western Australia to southeastern Queensland, but now its range has been reduced to a few isolated areas in northern Australia. The northern marsupial marten lives in rocky places or in eucalyptus forests near the coast. The species is listed in the IUCN Red List as endangered.

A large variety of marsupial martens with a body length of about 60-75 cm, a tail length of 50 cm, and a weight of up to 7 kg. The fur is dark brown in color, it differs from other species by white spots on the tail, which is also reflected in the name of the species.

Now the spotted marsupial marten consists of two isolated populations- in the north of Queensland (near Cairns and Cooktown) and in the east from the south of Queensland to Tasmania. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened.

This is the only mammal, which lives on the island of New Guinea in the Fly River basin in the south of the island. Its natural habitat is savanna woodlands. During the rainy season, the range is noticeably reduced due to the floods of the river.

The body length is from 350 to 450 mm, the tail is from 240 to 285 mm long. The wool is soft, dyed golden brown. The back is dark chocolate with orange, and small white spots. Cream belly. Paws are dark golden-bronze. The tail is yellowish brown or black without spots. Pointed muzzle. The ears are small and rounded.

In length, the species reaches 45 cm, the tail is about 30 cm long, and the weight is about 1.5 kg. The coat is colored from black to yellowish brown; white spots cover the entire body, except for a fluffy tail with a white tip. Pointed muzzle.

The species is listed in the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened.

In all species of marsupial marten, sexual dimorphism is manifested in the fact that males exceed females in size.

Marsupial martens are active mainly at night, lead a solitary lifestyle. During the day, they rarely go out in search of food. Animals spend a lot of time among trees or their fallen trunks at the bottom of the rainforest.

The marsupial marten is a skilled hunter. She instantly kills her prey with a blow to the neck or head.

mating season in the marsupial marten occurs at the beginning of winter once a year, but after the loss of offspring, the animal can also mate again. The duration of pregnancy is about 20 days, after which 4-6 cubs are born. After 7-10 weeks, the female leaves them in a shelter and goes hunting. If it is necessary to change shelter, then the female can carry the babies on her back. At the end of autumn, when the cubs reach the age of 18 weeks, they become independent, and at 1 year old they become sexually mature. The life expectancy of the species in captivity is 3-4 years.

The marsupial marten used to be common in the southeast of Australia, but after the epizootics of 1901-1903 and due to uncontrolled destruction, their numbers began to decrease, and now the species has practically disappeared on the continent, but they are still common in Tasmania.

• The marsupial marten is ferocious predator strong enough to handle cats and dogs when needed.
• This is a real tree animal in the image and nature of life. He has well-developed thumbs and the structure of the paws allows him to firmly grasp the branches and trunks of trees.
• In relation to people marsupial martens behave secretly and timidly. But at the same time, this is one of the most warlike inhabitants of Australia and Tasmania.

Once this animal was distributed throughout southeastern Australia, but could not compete with foxes, cats and dogs brought to the mainland and disappeared by the middle of the 20th century. The speckled marten hunted chickens, ducks and geese, which earned itself a sentence from people who destroyed uninvited guests with the help of traps and poisoned baits.

And in vain, because the marten could help them get rid of rodents, insects and other pests. However, the epizootic of 1901-1903. completed all the unpleasant work for people, significantly reducing the number of these animals.

The aborigines called the marsupial marten "kuol", which means "cat-tiger". It was this word that the first settlers heard, who called the unusual animal a quoll. Of course, the animal will not pull on a ferocious tiger, but it can be compared with a domestic cat. In any case, their dimensions are similar - the body length of the quoll is approximately 45 cm, the tail is 30 cm, the height at the withers is about 15 cm, and the weight is 1.5 kg.

The shade of the marsupial marten's fur can be from black to yellowish brown. Light spots of various shapes are scattered throughout the body, and on the head they are much smaller than on the back and sides. The tail is solid, without specks, the belly is light. The elongated muzzle ends in a reddish pointed nose, medium-sized ears have rounded tips.

Quolls are nocturnal. It is in the dark that they hunt small mammals and ground birds, looking for their eggs and feast on insects. Sometimes they eat dead animals that the sea has thrown onto land. From time to time they visit the nearest farms, where they ruthlessly strangle domestic animals and generally behave extremely indecently: some individuals even steal meat and fat directly from the kitchens of local residents.

Maybe that's why their gait is creeping and extremely cautious, but their movements are lightning fast. Speckled marsupial martens most they spend time on the ground, they climb trees badly and reluctantly.

Unless they can climb up the sloping trunk if it is really necessary. When it gets particularly hot, the quolls hide in caves, in crevices among rocks, and in hollows of trees, where soft, dry grass and bark are dragged.

Their breeding season lasts from May to September - during the Australian winter. One female usually gives birth to 4 or more cubs (in captivity, there was even a case when one lady brought 24 babies at once), but only those of them who managed to reach the mother's nipple first and hang on it survive. There are only 6 nipples in the pouch of the speckled marten, so it's not hard to guess how many cubs will survive.

The brood pouch of the quoll has nothing to do with the kangaroo pouch: it develops only during the breeding season and is turned back towards the tail. The cubs are in it for about 8 weeks, and then hide in the den while the mother goes hunting.

If necessary, they travel on her back. At the age of 18-20 weeks, the grown quolls leave the parent. Speckled marsupial martens, along with others Australian species are listed in the International Red Book.