Godman's antechinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atherton antechinus |
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Antechinus
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godmani
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| Atherton antechinus range | |
The Atherton antechinus (Antechinus godmani), also called Godman's antechinus, is a small, meat-eating marsupial from Australia. It is one of the rarest animals in its family. This antechinus looks different from others. It has a more reddish-brown body and smaller eyes.
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What is an Antechinus?
An antechinus is a small marsupial. Marsupials are animals that carry their babies in a pouch. Kangaroos and koalas are also marsupials. Antechinuses are related to quolls and Tasmanian devils. They are mostly found in Australia and New Guinea.
How Scientists Name Animals
The Atherton antechinus was first described in 1923. This means it was officially named and studied. The scientist who did this was Oldfield Thomas. For many years, some scientists thought it was a type of yellow-footed antechinus. But now, it is known as its own unique species.
The Atherton antechinus belongs to a group called dasyurids. This family includes many meat-eating marsupials. The Atherton antechinus is part of the Antechinus genus. It lives in a very small area compared to other antechinus species.
Appearance and Habits
The Atherton antechinus has a dull brown fur color. It is one of the largest antechinuses. Its tail is almost bare, meaning it has very little fur.
This animal is thought to be mostly active at night. It might also be crepuscular. This means it is active during twilight hours, like dawn and dusk. The Atherton antechinus mostly eats small creatures. It hunts invertebrates that live on the ground. These can include insects and worms.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The mating season for the Atherton antechinus is usually in July and August. After this short breeding period, a very interesting thing happens. All of the male antechinuses die. This is a unique and natural part of their life cycle. The females then raise their young.
Where They Live
The Atherton antechinus lives in a very specific area. It is found only in a 130-kilometer (about 80-mile) region. This area is a rainforest in northeastern Queensland, Australia. It stretches between Mount Bellenden Ker and Cardwell.
These antechinuses build their nests in special places. They often use hollows inside trees. They also make nests in the leaf litter of epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, like trees, but do not harm them.
