Julia Creek dunnart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Julia Creek dunnart |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sminthopsis
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| Species: |
douglasi
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| Julia Creek dunnart range | |
The Julia Creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi) is a small marsupial that lives in Australia. It has soft, buffy brown fur on its back and white fur underneath. This little animal is a type of dunnart, which are known for being quick and active.
It grows to be about 10 to 13.5 centimeters long, not including its tail. Its tail adds another 6 to 10.5 centimeters, making its total length up to 24 centimeters. The Julia Creek dunnart weighs between 40 and 70 grams, which is about the same as a small apple. It has dark brown markings around its eyes and a stripe on top of its head. A healthy dunnart stores fat in its tail, making it look like a little carrot!
Contents
Where the Dunnart Lives
Habitat and Location
The Julia Creek dunnart mostly lives in a special area of grasslands in Queensland, Australia. This area is called the Mitchel Grass downs. It covers about 8,000 square kilometers. You can find them between the towns of Julia Creek and Richmond.
There's a chance they might also live in the Mitchell Plateau in Western Australia. These dunnarts prefer areas with cracks in the ground where they can hide.
Threats to Their Home
Sadly, the dunnart's home is in danger. A plant called prickly acacia is spreading. It kills the native grasses that the dunnarts need. Also, farming and other animals brought in by people are harming their habitat.
Dunnart Life and Habits
Daily Life and Diet
The Julia Creek dunnart is a nocturnal animal. This means it is active at night and sleeps during the day. During the dry season, it hides in cracks in the ground to stay safe. When it's wet, it finds shelter under plants.
These dunnarts don't need to drink water very often. They get all the water they need from the food they eat! Their diet mainly consists of insects. They also eat small vertebrates, which are tiny animals with backbones.
Reproduction and Young
Female Julia Creek dunnarts are pregnant for about 13 to 16 days. They usually give birth to around eight babies at a time. These tiny babies are called joeys. When they are born, a joey is only about 4 millimeters long! At this tiny size, they can even breathe through their skin.
The joeys stay with their mother and depend on her for about 70 days. In the wild, dunnarts usually breed during a six-month period. This happens from August to March, which is the hottest and wettest time of the year. Both male and female dunnarts can breed in more than one season. Females can even have two litters of babies in one season!
Dunnart Status
Conservation Efforts
The Julia Creek dunnart is currently listed as a near threatened species. This means it could become endangered if we don't protect it. The IUCN keeps track of animals like this.
The main reasons they are threatened are the spreading prickly acacia plants. Also, introduced predators like cats and foxes hunt them. Protecting their habitat and controlling these predators are important steps to help the Julia Creek dunnart survive.
