Home Environment Australia’s elusive Quolls headed for extinction

Australia’s elusive Quolls headed for extinction

May 22, 2024

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Australia’s diverse fauna is renowned worldwide, and among its unique inhabitants are the quolls. These small to medium-sized carnivorous marsupials, also known as native cats, play a vital role in the ecosystem.

Australia leads the world in mammal species extinctions, with 38 native mammal species and possibly seven subspecies driven to extinction since colonization. Currently, 52 mammal species are classified as either critically endangered or endangered, and 58 mammal species are listed as vulnerable.

There are around 14,000 quolls left in Australia. Let’s dive into the different types of quolls, their habitats, conservation status, and their relationship with farmers.

A captive quoll at Aussie Ark — Quoll at Aussie Ark Gloucester © Mark Anning photo 2023

Types of Quolls

Quolls are generally found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands.

They prefer areas with dense vegetation for cover and an abundant food supply, which includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects.

Male quolls range over about 15 square kilometers (5.8 square miles) and typically overlap with several female territories, each spanning about 3–4 square kilometers (1.2–1.5 square miles).

While males share their large territories with multiple females, female territories do not overlap with one another. Most female home ranges include around 70 hollow log dens and 110 burrows.

Australia is home to four species of quolls:

Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus): The smallest and the most aggressive of the quoll species, Northern Quolls are found in the northern parts of Australia, including Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, particularly rocky and rugged terrain.

Northern Quolls are listed as Endangered nationally, and Critically Endangered in the Northern Territory, and Endangered in Western Australia.

Northern quolls have a distinctive reddish-brown fur with white spots.

Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus): The Eastern Quoll, once common in southeast Australia, has been extinct on the mainland since the 1960s. These quolls are now found only in Tasmania, in habitats ranging from rainforests to farmland.

Eastern Quolls come in two color morphs: a fawn with white spots and a rarer black with white spots.

Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus): Also known as the Tiger Quoll, it is the largest of the quoll species. They inhabit the forests of eastern Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania.

The spotted-tailed quoll is the world’s second-largest carnivorous marsupial, after the Tasmanian devil. It can grow up to 130 cm in length and weigh up to 4 kg.

Spotted-tailed quolls global population has dwindled to fewer than 5,000 individuals.

Their fur is brown with white spots, and they have a distinctive long tail.

Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii): The Western Quoll once occupied 70% of Australia, but now it is mostly confined to the far southwest of Western Australia. Southwestern Australia, particularly in eucalypt forests and woodlands.

Western Quolls have a sandy or reddish-brown coat with white spots.

Also called the Chuditch, from Noongar djooditj, Western Quolls are also known as the Atyelpe or Chilpa, from Arrernte; Kuninka, from Western Desert language; Idnya, by the Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges; and the archaic western native cat.

Conservation Status

Quolls face numerous threats, including habitat loss, predation by introduced species (such as foxes and cats), and poisoning from cane toads (for the Northern Quoll). As a result, their populations have significantly declined.

Northern Quoll: Endangered
Eastern Quoll: Endangered on the mainland (extinct) and near-threatened in Tasmania
Spotted-tailed Quoll: Vulnerable
Western Quoll: Near-threatened

Efforts are underway to conserve these unique marsupials, including habitat protection, feral predator control, and breeding programs.

Foxes, cats, cane toads, farmers, invasive plants, and native vegetation clearing are all driving the quolls to extinction. there are around 14,000 quolls left in Australia.

Farmers’ Perspectives

The relationship between quolls and farmers can be complex. On one hand, quolls can help control populations of agricultural pests such as rodents.

However, they can also prey on poultry, which can lead to conflict. Some farmers appreciate the ecological role quolls play and work to coexist with them, while others may view them as a nuisance.

One neighbouring farmer told me the story of how he discovered a quoll in his chook pen, and all the dead chickens were neatly placed in a row by the quoll.

My own experience has been more comical. My campsite on my farm was a regular visiting place for one quoll. One cold winter night, he jumped up on the kitchen bench, only to displace a saucepan, and the quoll fell into the sink full of cold water. He went beserk and threw everything off the bench.

From that observation, quolls have an attitude somewhere between the slightly larger Tassie Devil depicted in the Looney Tunes cartoons and Attila the Hun. That said, there are plenty of reasons for farmers to learn to live with quolls.

Learning to Live with Quolls

Conservation organizations are working to educate farmers about the benefits of having quolls on their land and how to protect livestock from predation, fostering a more harmonious relationship.

Incorporating quolls into farmland management practices offers numerous benefits, from natural pest control and reduced pesticide use to supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

The presence of quolls can indicate good environmental health and land management practices. Healthy quoll populations suggest that the habitat is well-maintained and supports a diverse range of species.

By fostering a habitat that supports quolls, farmers can enjoy a more balanced and sustainable agricultural environment, ultimately benefiting both their livelihoods and the broader ecosystem.

Farmers who support quoll conservation can form partnerships with environmental organizations, leading to potential funding, resources, and technical support for sustainable land management practices.

Quolls can attract ecotourism, offering educational opportunities for the community and visitors. This can provide additional income streams for farmers and raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) also known as the Tiger Quoll

The Future of the Quoll

Quolls are fascinating and vital members of Australia’s wildlife community. Despite the challenges they face, ongoing conservation efforts aim to ensure these unique marsupials continue to thrive.

Aussie Ark, a wildlife sanctuary near Gloucester in NSW, runs a breeding program for the endangered Quoll.

By understanding and supporting these initiatives, we can help preserve Australia’s natural heritage for future generations.