Dasyurids facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dasyurids |
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Dasyuridae
Goldfuss, 1820
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Dasyuridae is a special group, or family, of marsupial animals. These animals are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. Almost all living members of the animal group Dasyuromorphia belong to the Dasyuridae family.
This family includes many interesting animals from Australia and New Guinea. Some well-known members are the quolls, phascogales, antechinuses, dunnarts, planigales, and the famous Tasmanian devil. There are about 55 different kinds, or species, in this family.
What are Dasyurids?
Dasyurids are mammals that carry their babies in a pouch. This makes them marsupials, like kangaroos and koalas. Most Dasyurids are small, but the Tasmanian devil can be quite large. They live in many different places, from forests to deserts.
These animals are important predators in their habitats. They help control the populations of insects and smaller animals. Many Dasyurids are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. They use their sharp senses to hunt for food in the dark.
How Dasyurids are Grouped
Scientists group animals into families to help us understand them better. The Dasyuridae family is divided into smaller groups called subfamilies. These subfamilies help us see how different Dasyurids are related to each other.
Here are the main subfamilies within Dasyuridae:
- Subfamily Dasyurinae: This group includes the quolls and their close relatives. Quolls are medium-sized marsupials known for their spotted fur. The Tasmanian devil is also part of this subfamily.
- Subfamily Phascogalinae: This group contains the phascogales and antechinuses. These are generally smaller, mouse-like marsupials. They are very active hunters of insects and small vertebrates.
- Subfamily Sminthopsinae: Here you will find the dunnarts and their allies. Dunnarts are tiny, mouse-like marsupials with long, thin tails. They are often found in dry, sandy areas.
- Subfamily Planigalinae: This group includes the planigales and ningauis. Planigales are some of the smallest marsupials in the world. They have very flat heads, which helps them hide in cracks and under rocks.
See also
In Spanish: Dasiúridos para niños
