Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
The fat-tailed dunnart eats a variety of grasshoppers, moths, and beetles.
This species occurs in the extreme southern portions of Queensland, Australia.
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
Average lifespan
Sex: female
Status: wild: 1.5 years.
Average lifespan
Sex: male
Status: wild: 1.3 years.
Fat-tailed dunnarts typically have a head and body length of 64- 110 mm, and a tail length of 51-12 mm. They range from buffy to brownish in color, and have dark patches on their ears and head.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 16 g.
Average basal metabolic rate: 0.121 W.
This species is polyestrus. Females may breed and raise litters continuously for up to six months if environmental conditions are favorable. Nearly all of the breeding in this species occurs between July and February. Gestation ranges from 13 to 16 days, and litters of up to ten young may be produced. The young first protrude from their mother's pouch at the age of 37 days. They disperse from their natal range when they are 65-69 days old. Females attain sexual maturity more quickly than males. They are capable of becoming pregnant when they are 155 days old. Males, however, are not capable of breeding until they are 159 days old.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average gestation period: 14 days.
Average number of offspring: 7.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 159 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 115 days.
