White-footed dunnart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-footed dunnart |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sminthopsis
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| Species: |
leucopus
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| White-footed dunnart range | |
The white-footed dunnart (Sminthopsis leucopus) is a small marsupial that lives in Tasmania and mainland Australia. You can find it along the coast and in areas like Gippsland and the Alpine regions. These areas are usually up to 400 meters high, for example, near Narbethong.
This dunnart is quite small. It measures about 140 to 200 millimeters (5.5 to 7.9 inches) from its nose to the tip of its tail. Its body, from head to bottom, is 70 to 110 millimeters (2.8 to 4.3 inches) long. The tail itself is 70 to 90 millimeters (2.8 to 3.5 inches) long. It weighs between 19 and 27 grams (0.67 to 0.95 ounces), which is about the same as a few coins.
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Where do white-footed dunnarts live?
The places where white-footed dunnarts live usually get between 600 and 1000 millimeters (24 to 39 inches) of rain each year. Unlike the fat-tailed dunnart, this species needs forests and woodlands. More than half of the ground cover in its home must be made of heath plants or other mid-sized plants.
They also live in other places, such as coastal tussock grasslands, areas with sedges, and wet heathlands. Each dunnart has its own home area, which is usually about 120 square meters (1,300 square feet) for both males and females. However, some male dunnarts can have much larger areas, up to 1,200 square meters (13,000 square feet). Male territories often overlap with those of females.
White-footed dunnart reproduction and life cycle
White-footed dunnarts usually mate during the summer months. Female white-footed dunnarts give birth in September or October. A mother can have up to ten babies, called joeys, at one time.
The young joeys stay in their mother's pouch for about eight weeks. After leaving the pouch, they continue to drink milk from their mother for another month. Once they are strong enough, they leave their mother to find their own way in the world.
What do white-footed dunnarts eat?
The white-footed dunnart, which weighs around 20 to 30 grams, eats in a similar way to other dasyurids. It is an opportunistic feeder, meaning it eats whatever food it can find easily. Its diet mainly includes small invertebrates and reptiles. These prey animals are usually between 1 and 18 millimeters (0.04 to 0.7 inches) long.
See also
In Spanish: Ratón marsupial de pies blancos para niños
