Slender-tailed dunnart

The slender-tailed dunnart, also known as the common dunnart in Australia, is a small marsupial belonging to the dasyurid family. These petite creatures have a body length ranging from 7 to 12 centimeters, with a tail adding another 5.5 to 13 centimeters. Males typically weigh between 25 and 40.8 grams, while females are slightly lighter, weighing between 16.5 and 25.4 grams.

These endearing animals can be found along the east and southeast coast and in inland areas of Australia, extending from the Cape York Peninsula down to the Port Lincoln area in South Australia. There are two subspecies: S. m. murina and S. mu. tatei. They inhabit elevations ranging from 60 to 360 meters and favor environments that receive an average annual rainfall of 30 to 85 centimeters. Their habitats vary from Mallee scrub to the edges of rainforests and even swamps.

In New South Wales, the slender-tailed dunnart's breeding season spans from September to March. After weaning their first litter, females often breed again. The gestation period is remarkably brief, lasting just 12.5 days, and the young are weaned at around 60 to 65 days after birth. A typical litter consists of 8 to 10 joeys. These animals may enter a state of torpor to conserve energy during challenging times. As nocturnal creatures, they are active during the night.

Diet-wise, the slender-tailed dunnart is an opportunistic feeder, predominantly consuming arthropods. They particularly relish beetles and moths, among other available prey.