Red-cheeked dunnart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-cheeked dunnart |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sminthopsis
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| Species: |
virginiae
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| Red-cheeked dunnart range | |
| Synonyms | |
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Phascologale virginiae |
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The red-cheeked dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae) is a small, furry animal. It gets its name from the special red fur on its cheeks. This animal is a type of marsupial, which means it carries its babies in a pouch, like a kangaroo. Red-cheeked dunnarts live in the Australasian region.
These dunnarts are quite small. Their total length, including their tail, can be from about 16.7 to 27 centimeters (6.6 to 10.6 inches). Their body alone is usually between 8 and 13.5 centimeters (3.1 to 5.3 inches) long. Their tail is thin and light pink, measuring 8.7 to 13.5 centimeters (3.4 to 5.3 inches). They weigh between 18 and 75 grams (0.6 to 2.6 ounces), which is about the weight of a few strawberries!
Contents
Where Red-cheeked Dunnarts Live
Red-cheeked dunnarts can be found in two main places: Australia and New Guinea. They live in different parts of these countries.
Australian Homes
One type of red-cheeked dunnart, called S. v. virginiae, lives in Queensland, Australia. You can find them around the North Gulf, the northeast coasts, and from Mackay all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula.
Another type, S. v. nitela, lives in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They also live in the northern part of the Northern Territory.
What Their Habitat Looks Like
These dunnarts like to live in many different kinds of places. Their homes include woodlands, open rocky forests, and savannah grasslands. They also enjoy swamps, wet areas called soaks, and the edges of tropical forests.
Red-cheeked Dunnart Life Cycle
Not a lot is known about the behavior of red-cheeked dunnarts. This is true for most Sminthopsis species. Scientists are still learning about them!
Reproduction and Young
Red-cheeked dunnarts usually have their babies between October and March. The mother carries her young for about 15 days before they are born. After birth, the babies stay with their mother and drink her milk for about 65 to 70 days. They become fully grown and ready to have their own babies when they are about 4 to 6 months old.
What Red-cheeked Dunnarts Eat
The red-cheeked dunnart is a carnivore, meaning it eats meat. Their main diet includes small reptiles. They are good hunters of these small creatures.
Different Types of Red-cheeked Dunnarts
There are three different kinds, or subspecies, of the red-cheeked dunnart that scientists know about:
- S. v. virginiae: This type is found in Australia.
- S. v. nitela: This type is also found in Australia.
- S. v. rufigenis: This type lives in New Guinea.
See also
In Spanish: Ratón marsupial de mejillas rojas para niños
