Spotted-tailed Quoll
Dasyurus maculatus maculatus
Meet the Spotted-tailed Quoll
Habitat & Range
Spotted-tailed quolls occur in Tasmania and parts of eastern mainland Australia. Tasmania remains an important stronghold for the species.
They can occupy a variety of habitats including rainforest, wet and dry eucalypt forest, woodland, coastal scrub and heathland. Suitable den sites and connected areas of native vegetation are particularly important because individual quolls can range across large areas.
What's on the Menu?
Spotted-tailed quolls are carnivorous predators and opportunistic scavengers. Their diet can include mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and carrion.
As native predators, quolls play an important ecological role. They help regulate prey populations and also consume carrion when it is available.
Amazing Adaptations
Spotted-tailed quolls are strong, agile hunters. Powerful jaws, sharp teeth and well-developed claws help them capture and process prey.
They are also capable climbers and can move through trees and rocky terrain as well as travelling considerable distances across the ground.
Their most recognisable feature is their pattern of white spots. Unlike Eastern quolls, spotted-tailed quolls have distinctive white spots extending along the tail.
Did You Know?
The Spotted-tailed Quoll is the largest quoll species and one of Australia's largest surviving carnivorous marsupials. Tasmania supports an important population of this remarkable native predator.
Behaviour
Spotted-tailed quolls are generally solitary animals and are most active at night. During the day they shelter in dens, which may occur in hollow logs, rock crevices, caves or other protected locations.
They can have large home ranges and may travel significant distances while searching for food and mates. This makes connected habitat especially important for the species.
Conservation & Threats
Spotted-tailed quolls face a range of pressures across their Australian range. Habitat loss and fragmentation can reduce suitable denning and hunting areas and make it harder for animals to move safely through the landscape.
Other threats can include road mortality, persecution, competition and predation involving introduced species, and exposure to poisons or toxic substances.
Spotted-tailed Quolls at Trowunna
Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary works to increase understanding and conservation of Tasmania's native carnivorous marsupials, including the Spotted-tailed Quoll.
Through specialist wildlife care, captive management, conservation programs and education, Trowunna helps visitors understand the important role quolls play in Tasmania's ecosystems.
Protecting native predators also means protecting the habitats, food webs and ecological processes they depend upon.
How You Can Help
- Slow down when driving, particularly between dusk and dawn.
- Keep cats contained and dogs under control around native wildlife.
- Never feed wild quolls.
- Protect native vegetation, hollow logs and habitat corridors where possible.
- Avoid using poisons that may harm wildlife directly or through secondary poisoning.
- Support conservation programs protecting Tasmania's native carnivorous marsupials.
Wildlife Welfare Comes First
Please do not feed, touch or place fingers through enclosure barriers.
Quolls need quiet spaces where they can rest and retreat from view. Please respect their space and always follow instructions from Trowunna's wildlife keepers.