Chestnut dunnart

The chestnut dunnart is a captivating small marsupial first described by Van Dyck in 1986. It derives its name from the distinctive chestnut-colored fur on the upper part of its body. This diminutive creature measures between 167 and 210 mm from snout to tail, with a body length (head to anus) of 85-105 mm and a tail length of 82-105 mm. Its hind feet measure 17-20 mm, the ears are 17-21 mm long, and it typically weighs between 15 and 20 grams.

The chestnut dunnart is found in southern Papua New Guinea and along the east and west coasts of Cape York Peninsula in Australia. There are also records of its presence in Blackbraes National Park, west of Townsville. In Australia, these dunnarts favor tall stringybark woodlands and tall forests on red earth. In Papua New Guinea, they are also known to inhabit savannah areas.

Despite its fascinating habitat, much remains to be discovered about the chestnut dunnart's social structure and breeding habits. What is known is that they breed during the dry season, which spans from July to October.