Grey-bellied dunnart facts for kids
The grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) is a tiny marsupial found in Australia. It's also sometimes called the gray-bellied dunnart. These small creatures are part of a group of animals called dunnarts, which are known for being quick and active. Scientists Darrell Kitchener, Stoddart, and Henry first described this dunnart in 1984.
Quick facts for kids Grey-bellied dunnart |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sminthopsis
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| Species: |
griseventor
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| Grey-bellied dunnart range | |
A grey-bellied dunnart is quite small. Its body, not including the tail, can be about 6.5 to 9.5 centimeters (2.5 to 3.7 inches) long. Its tail adds another 6.5 to 9.8 centimeters (2.5 to 3.8 inches) to its length. Imagine a mouse, and you'll have a good idea of its size! These dunnarts weigh between 15 and 25 grams, which is about the same as a few coins. They have olive-grey ears that are about 1.7 to 1.8 centimeters long.
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Where Grey-bellied Dunnarts Live
Grey-bellied dunnarts live in Western Australia, mostly along the coastal areas in the southwest. Their home stretches from the Gairdner Ranges all the way to Cape Arid National Park. They usually stay close to the coast, rarely going more than 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) inland.
In 2003, a new group of these dunnarts was found in South Australia. This discovery happened in the Eyre Peninsula, specifically in the Hincks and Bascombe Well conservation parks.
Dunnart Habitats
These dunnarts like to live in different kinds of places. You can find them in:
- Heathy forests
- Woodlands
- Swampy areas with melaleuca trees
- Thick, grown-up heathland
Dunnart Life and Reproduction
The grey-bellied dunnart is a nocturnal animal, meaning it is active at night. During the day, it rests in leaf litter or inside burrows.
Reproduction and Young
When it's time to have babies, the mother dunnart builds a nest a few centimeters underground. They usually have one litter of babies each year. In some areas, like Boulenger Island, babies are born in August. In other places, they are born in October. A mother dunnart can give birth to up to 8 babies at once!
What Grey-bellied Dunnarts Eat
The grey-bellied dunnart is an omnivorous marsupial. This means it eats both plants and other animals. Since they are active at night, they hunt for their food in the dark.
Their diet includes:
- Insects
- Small mammals
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Soft fruits
