Gilbert's dunnart

Gilbert's dunnart
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Infraclass:	Marsupialia
Order:	Dasyuromorphia
Family:	Dasyuridae
Genus:	Sminthopsis
Species:	S. gilberti
Binomial name
Sminthopsis gilberti Kitchener, Stoddart & Henry, 1984
Gilbert's dunnart range

Gilbert's dunnart (Sminthopsis gilberti) is a recently discovered dunnart, described in 1984. The length from snout to tail being 15.5–18 cm (6.1–7.1 in) of which the head and body are 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in) and the tail 7.5–9 cm (3.0–3.5 in). The hind foot size is 18 mm (0.71 in), the ear length is 21 mm (0.83 in) and with the weight is 14–25 g (0.49–0.88 oz).

Distribution and habitat

Gilbert's dunnart is found in the southern wheat belt of Western Australia close to Perth and the Swan River, as well as the Roe plain near the South Australian border. The habitat it inhabits consists of heath and heathy forest and is abundant on coastal rangers, dry sclerophyll forest, semi-arid woodlands, and mallee scrub.

Social organisation and breeding

This nocturnal species nests in hollows above ground or dense bush. Gilbert's dunnart breeds from September until December and young are weaned in January or February.

Diet

Gilbert's dunnart primarily eats insects.

References

• Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 34. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
• Menkhorst, P.; Knight, F. (2001). A field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Press. ISBN 978-0-19-550870-3.

External links

• Pictures and facts about the Gilbert's dunnart
• Australian Biological Resources Study