Speckled marsupial marten - the cutest creature from Tasmania (16 photos). Spotted marsupial martens Species status in nature
Many species of flora and fauna have been introduced, gradually becoming extinct for various reasons. This category includes one of the largest marsupial predators living on the Australian continent, marsupial marten.
She is given second place in size after. Otherwise they call it a marsupial cat. The marten acquired these names because of its many similarities, both with and with a cat. They are also called native cats. Marsupial marten feeding flesh, so she, along with the devil, are considered natural predators.
Description and features of the marsupial marten
Average length adult speckled marsupial marten ranges from 25 to 75 cm. Its tail extends another 25-30 cm. The male is usually larger than the female. In females spotted marsupial martens There are 6 teats and pouches for the offspring, which become larger during the breeding season.
At other times, these are just slightly noticeable folds in the skin. They open back towards the tail. Only in one species spotted-tailed marsupial marten the brood bag remains in unchanged working condition throughout all year round.
This peculiar animal has a long muzzle with a bright pink nose and small ears. Photo of a marsupial marten Her fur is striking. It can be brown or black in color with whitish spots, and is short.
It is characterized by increased density and simultaneous softness. On the belly of the marten, the color of the fur is lighter; it is white or light yellow. The fur on the tail is fluffier than on the body. The color of the animal's face is dominated by red and burgundy tones. The marten's limbs are small with well-developed fingers.
Australian spotted marsupial - this is the largest species of martens . Its body reaches up to 75 cm in length, plus the length of its tail, which is usually 35 cm.
Her tail is also evenly covered with white spots. The forested areas of the Eastern and Tasmanian Islands are the most favorite places this animal. This is a ferocious and strong predator.
The striped marsupial marten is considered one of the smallest, the length of which, including the tail, is only 40 cm. It can be found in the lowland forests of New Guinea, on the islands of Salavati and Aru.
Lifestyle and habitat
This interesting animal makes its shelters in hollows. fallen trees, which are insulated with dry grass and bark. They can also use cracks between stones, empty holes and other abandoned corners that they find as shelter.
Martens are more active at night. During the daytime, they prefer to sleep in secluded places where extraneous sounds do not reach. They can easily move not only on the ground, but also through trees. There are frequent cases when they can be found near people's homes.
The black-tailed marsupial marten prefers to lead a solitary lifestyle. Each adult has its own purely personal territory. Often the terrain belonging to the males intersects with the terrain of the females. They have one area for toilets.
Speckled marsupial marten also prefers nightlife day. At night it is much easier for them to hunt mammals and look for their eggs and feast on them. Sometimes they eat animals thrown out by the sea.
Those martens that get close to farms can mercilessly strangle animals, and sometimes even steal them right from the kitchen local resident meat, fats and other food supplies.
Martens have a creeping and very cautious gait, but at the same time sharp and lightning-fast movements. They prefer to move on the ground rather than in trees. But if the situation requires it, then they deftly move along the tree and quietly, imperceptibly approach their prey.
When the heat is high, animals try to hide in secluded, cool places and wait out the scorching sun. Speckled marsupial marten lives on the sandy plains and hills of Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania.
Diet of the marsupial marten
As already mentioned, marsupial martens are predatory animals. They love the meat of birds, insects, shellfish, fish and other amphibians. It is important that their production is not too large sizes.
Large and tough only for large martens. Animals do not refuse carrion either. This happens at a time when food is very tight. Sometimes animals dilute their daily diet with fresh fruits.
While hunting for prey, martens stubbornly pursue their prey and pounce on it, closing their jaws on the animal's neck. It is no longer possible to escape from such a stranglehold.
Often the favorite delicacy of marsupial martens are domestic ones, which they steal from farms. Some farmers forgive them this prank; they even tame them and make them pets.
Martens that live at home are happy to exterminate and. They replenish their water balance with food, so they don’t drink too much.
Reproduction and lifespan
The breeding season for marsupial martens occurs in May-July. These animals breed once a year. Pregnancy lasts about 21 days. After this, from 4 to 8 babies are born, sometimes more.
There was one case when one female gave birth to 24 cubs. Up to 8 weeks, babies feed on mother's milk. Until 11 weeks they are completely blind and defenseless. From 15 weeks of age they begin to taste meat. Live independent life babies can at 4-5 months. By this age, their weight reaches up to 175 g.
In the photo there are marsupial marten cubs
The cubs stay in the female's pouch for up to 8 weeks. At the 9th week, they move from this secluded place to their mother’s back, where they remain for another 6 weeks. Sexual maturity in these amazing animals occurs at 1 year.
The lifespan of martens in nature and in captivity is not very different. They live approximately 2 to 5 years. The number of these animals is significantly declining due to the activity of people, who are increasingly destroying their habitat every year. Many martens are killed by disgruntled farmers, leading to their extinction.
The speckled marsupial marten belongs to the family of carnivorous marsupials. These animals live in Tasmania. These martens once lived throughout southeastern Australia, but foxes, dogs and cats brought to the mainland in the 20th century exterminated the speckled marsupial martens.
In addition, these animals hunted poultry, and therefore people began to destroy them by setting traps and laying out poisoned baits.
And this is completely in vain, since martens destroy rodents, insects and other pests. However, in 1901 an epidemic occurred, and it completed their work for people - the number of speckled marsupial martens decreased significantly.
Local residents called these animals “kuol”, which translates as “tiger cat”, and the settlers, having heard this name, began to call the speckled martens “quolls”. Naturally, the speckled marsupial marten is very far from the bloodthirsty tiger, but it has a lot in common with the domestic cat. First of all, they have almost identical dimensions - the body length of the marten is about 45 centimeters, the height at the withers is 15 centimeters, the tail length is 30 centimeters, and the weight is about 1.5 kilograms.
The color of this animal varies from yellowish brown to black. The whole body is covered with light spots, various shapes, while the spots on the back and sides are much larger than on the head.
The tail has a solid color without specks. The belly is light. The speckled marten has an elongated muzzle with a cute, sharp nose. The ears are medium in size, rounded.
These animals lead night image life, in the dark it is easier for them to catch a small mammal, a ground bird or destroy a nest. In addition, quolls feed on insects and sometimes consume carrion. From time to time they raid farms, where they strangle all the birds they come across. Particularly courageous individuals are not afraid to sneak into a dwelling and steal food directly from the kitchens.
Due to their lifestyle, speckled martens have a very cautious stalking gait, but they can also make lightning-fast and jerky movements. Most These animals spend their lives on the ground, they climb trees very reluctantly, they are bad at it.
Listen to the voice of the speckled marsupial marten
If there is an urgent need, then the marten can climb the sloping trunk. When it is too hot, the animals hide in caves, in tree trunks, between stones. Martens drag bark and grass into these shelters to build nests.
The breeding season runs from May to September. During this period it is winter in Australia. One female gives birth to more than 4 babies; in captivity, one speckled marsupial marten gave birth to 24 babies. But, unfortunately, only those babies survive who are the first to find the nipple and attach to it, and there are only 6 nipples in the mother’s pouch, therefore, only 6 of the strongest babies survive.
The brood pouch of these martens is completely different from that of a kangaroo: it is formed only during the breeding season, and is turned towards the tail. The cubs do not leave their mother's pouch for about 8 weeks, after which they sit in the den while the female hunts.
Body length 25-75 cm, tail 20-60 cm; weight varies from 900 g ( Dasyurus hallucatus) up to 4-7 kg ( Dasyurus maculatus). Females are smaller. The body hair is usually short, dense and soft; the tail is covered with longer hair. The ears are relatively small. The coloration on the back and sides is gray-yellow to black with numerous white spots; on the belly - white, gray or yellow. Females have 6-8 nipples. The brood pouch develops only during the breeding season and opens back towards the tail; the rest of the time it is represented by skin folds that limit the milky field in front and from the sides. Well developed canines and molars.
Spreading
6 species of this genus are distributed in Australia, Tasmania and Papua New Guinea. They live both in forests and on open plains. Their lifestyle is predominantly terrestrial, but they climb trees and rocks well. Active at night, rarely seen during the day. Refuge during the day is provided by cracks among stones, caves, and hollows of fallen trees, where spotted marsupial martens drag dry grass and bark.
Nutrition
Carnivorous, feeding on small mammals (the size of a rabbit), birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, molluscs, freshwater crustaceans and insects; They also eat carrion and fruit. After the colonization of Australia, introduced species began to be hunted; on the one hand, spotted marsupial martens cause some harm, destroying chicken coops (one of the reasons for the reduction in their numbers was their extermination by farmers), on the other hand, they are useful animals that destroy insect pests, rats, mice and rabbits.
Reproduction
Outside the breeding season they lead a solitary lifestyle. They breed once a year, in the Australian winter - from May to July. Pregnancy lasts 16-24 days. There are 2-8 cubs in a litter, although there are up to 24-30. The number of spotted marsupial martens in Australia has greatly decreased due to epizootics of the early 20th century, habitat destruction, extermination by humans and food competition with introduced predators (cats, dogs, foxes), but they are still quite numerous in Tasmania and New Guinea. All Australian species are listed in the International Red Book.
Kinds
- New Guinea marsupial marten ( Dasyurus albopunctatus), found in New Guinea;
- Black-tailed marsupial marten ( Dasyurus geoffroii), has disappeared everywhere except eucalyptus forests in the south-west of Western Australia, although it was originally widespread in eastern and southern Australia, as well as in desert areas of Central Australia; listed in
The marsupial marten is the second largest marsupial predator in Australia, second only to . The species received its name due to some similarities with the true cat and marten. Additionally, the animal is also known as "quoll" or tiger cat.
The body length of the marsupial marten is from 25 to 75 cm, the tail is 20-60 cm long, the weight varies widely from 900 g (for Dasyurus hallucatus) to 4-7 kg (for Dasyurus maculatus). Females are smaller in size. The fur is short, thick and soft; the tail is covered more long hair. The ears are small. The tail is strong and thick.
The back and sides of the animal are gray-yellow to black with white spots, the belly is white, gray or yellow. Females have 6-8 nipples. The brood pouch opens backwards. The canines and molars are well developed.
The marsupial marten goes hunting at night. Its diet is quite varied. It features reptiles, birds and their eggs, rabbits and other small mammals. Great strength and size allow the animal to hunt also larger animals (tree possum, heron, young wallaby). Brave and agile, the marsupial marten becomes cautious and patient when necessary.
Since this species lives in forests, climbing tree trunks, they destroy the nests of birds, guard the latter among the branches, or catch them directly in flight. They can also hunt sleeping birds.
The marsupial marten lives in eastern Australia and on the island of Tasmania, is under protection, and is quite rare. This animal primarily chooses to live in rainy, cool forests and thickets along the banks of reservoirs.
Common species of marsupial marten
Widely distributed on the island of New Guinea, where it lives in high mountain areas at altitudes up to 3600 m above sea level. In addition, it lives on the Yapen Islands in humid tropical forests. In garden plots he hunts for rats.
The smallest species of its genus with a body length from 240 to 350 mm, the tail length ranges from 210 to 310 mm. Average weight 450 g. The coat is thick and coarse, with a slight undercoat. The back is brown with white spots. The tail is dark brown or black.
This species is now found exclusively in eucalyptus forests in southwest Western Australia. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Natural environment Habitats include deserts, meadows, sclerophyte forests, and coastal areas with thickets of bushes.
The weight of adult males is 0.7-2 kg, females - 0.6-1.12 kg. The body length of males is from 310 to 400 mm, for females - from 260 to 360 mm. The tail of males is 250-350 mm long, females - 210-310 mm. The fur is soft. The back and sides are brown or black, with white spots. The belly is creamy white. The muzzle is elongated, pointed, light. The ears are large, round in shape, with a white border. The eyes are large. The legs are short.
A small species with males weighing up to 900 g, and a body length ranging from 25-35 cm. The coat is short and coarse, gray-brown or gray, with white spots; the tip of the tail is black.
Previously, the species was distributed over a fairly wide range from the Pilbara in western Australia to south-east Queensland, but its habitat has now been reduced to a few isolated areas in northern Australia. The northern marsupial marten lives in rocky areas or in eucalyptus forests near the coast. The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
A large variety of marsupial martens with a body length of about 60-75 cm, a tail length of 50 cm, and a weight of up to 7 kg. The fur is dark brown in color and differs from other species in having white spots on the tail, which is reflected in the name of the species.
The spotted-tailed marsupial marten now consists of two isolated populations - in northern Queensland (near Cairns and Cooktown) and in the east from southern Queensland to Tasmania. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
This is the only mammal that lives on the island of New Guinea in the Fly River basin in the south of the island. Its natural habitat is savanna woodland. During the rainy season, the range noticeably decreases due to river floods.
The body length is from 350 to 450 mm, the tail is from 240 to 285 mm in length. The wool is soft and golden brown. The back is dark chocolate with orange and small white spots. The belly is creamy. The paws are dark golden-bronze in color. The tail is yellowish-brown or black without spots. The muzzle is pointed. The ears are small and round in shape.
The species reaches 45 cm in length, the tail is about 30 cm long, and its weight is approximately 1.5 kg. The coat is colored from black to yellowish-brown; white spots cover the entire body except for the bushy tail with a white tip. The muzzle is pointed.
The species is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
In all species of marsupial marten, sexual dimorphism is manifested in the fact that males exceed females in size.
Marsupial martens are active mainly at night and lead a solitary lifestyle. During the day they go out in search of food extremely rarely. Animals spend a lot of time among trees or their fallen trunks at the bottom of the tropical forest.
The marsupial marten is a skilled hunter. She kills her prey with lightning speed with a blow to the neck or head.
Mating season in the marsupial marten it occurs at the beginning of winter once a year, but after the loss of offspring the animal can also mate again. The duration of pregnancy is about 20 days, after which 4-6 cubs are born. After 7-10 weeks, the female leaves them in the shelter and goes hunting. If it is necessary to change the shelter, the female can carry the babies on her back. At the end of autumn, when the cubs reach the age of 18 weeks, they become independent, and at 1 year they become sexually mature. The lifespan of the species in captivity is 3-4 years.
Previously, the marsupial marten was common in the southeast of Australia, but after the epizootics of 1901-1903 and due to uncontrolled destruction, their numbers began to decrease, and now the species has practically disappeared from the continent, but they are still common in Tasmania.
- The marsupial marten is a ferocious predator, strong enough to handle cats and dogs if necessary.
- This is a real arboreal animal in its image and character of life. It has well-developed thumbs and the structure of its paws allows it to firmly grasp branches and tree trunks.
- In relation to people, marsupial martens behave secretly and timidly. But at the same time, he is one of the most militant residents of Australia and Tasmania.
The spotted marsupial marten, also called the marsupial cat, is part of the family of predatory marsupials. It lives in Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania and forms a genus consisting of 6 species. Of these, 4 species live in Australia, and 2 in New Guinea. In addition, there are 2 known fossil species whose remains were discovered in Queensland. Species vary in size and weight, which ranges from 300 g to 7 kg.
The body length of adult individuals is 25-75 cm. The hairy tail reaches a length of 20-35 cm. Males are larger than females. The latter have 6 nipples and brood pouches, which acquire voluminous shapes during the breeding season. The rest of the time they are folds on the skin. The bags open back towards the tail. The only exception is one species - spotted-tailed marsupial martens. Their brood pouch is clearly visible all year round.
The muzzle is long, the nose is bright pink, the ears small size. The coat is soft, thick, short and has a brown or black color on the back and sides, diluted with white spots. The belly is white or light yellow. As for weight, it varies markedly depending on the species. Mostly males weigh up to 1.3 kg, and females up to 0.9 kg. The largest species is the spotted-tailed marsupial marten. Males weigh about 7 kg, and females 4 kg. The smallest is the northern marsupial marten. The weight of males is 400-900 g, and the weight of females is 300-500 g.
Reproduction and lifespan
The breeding season is winter months(in the Southern Hemisphere, winter is June-August). Pregnancy in females is 3 weeks. At this time, the folds on the abdomen are transformed into a brood pouch. There are up to 18 cubs in a litter. They are small and no larger than a grain of rice. During the first 2 weeks, no more than 6 cubs remain alive, since the female has only 6 nipples.
The babies sit in their mother's pouch for 8 weeks. During the 9th week, they move from the pouch to their back, where they remain for another 6 weeks. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 1 year. IN wildlife The spotted marsupial marten lives from 2 to 5 years. Large species live longer than small ones. In captivity, life expectancy is 3-4 years.
Behavior and nutrition
These are nocturnal animals. They rarely search for prey during the daytime. They are mainly terrestrial, but are often found in trees. The lair is made in caves, among stones, in hollow logs. Solitary lifestyle. Each adult has its own territory. In this case, the territories of males often overlap with the territories of females. Remarkable common areas for toilets. Sometimes they have up to 100 litters. During the breeding season, males unite with females.
The diet consists of small mammals, not exceeding the size of rabbits, but here it all depends on the size of the marsupial predators. Small species mainly eat insects, birds, frogs, lizards, and also fruits. But large species eat echidnas, opossums, hares, rats, mice, birds and reptiles. In times of famine, carrion is eaten. Animals chase their prey while hunting. Having caught up, they jump on her and close their jaws on the victim’s neck. They drink little, getting water from food.
Representatives of the species suffer from urbanization, housing construction, expansion of agricultural fields and the development of the mining industry. Habitats are destroyed by large herbivores, trampling grass and thickets. As a result, the number of spotted marsupial martens has declined markedly in Australia. These animals are listed in the Red Book. As for New Guinea and Tasmania, the animals feel safer there, and their numbers do not cause serious concern.
