Description
The crest-tailed mulgara, scientifically known as Dasycercus cristicauda, is a small to medium-sized carnivorous marsupial native to Australia. It is a member of the Dasyuridae family, which translates to “hairy tail,” encompassing various carnivorous marsupials such as quolls, dunnarts, the numbat, and the Tasmanian devil.
Appearance
The crest-tailed mulgara is characterized by its distinct features, including a slender body, pointed snout, and a crest of stiff hairs at the base of its tail, from which it derives its name. Its fur is typically a sandy color, providing effective camouflage in its arid habitat. The species is known for its keen senses and remarkable agility, enabling it to thrive in the challenging Australian desert environment.
Distribution
The crest-tailed mulgara is predominantly found in the arid regions of Australia, with notable sightings in the southern Simpson Desert near the tri-state border, the Tirari Desert, and inland areas. While historically confined to specific regions, efforts to monitor and protect the species have led to rediscoveries in locations such as Sturt National Park in New South Wales, signifying its resilience and adaptability.
Habitat
This resilient species thrives in arid and sandy habitats, often inhabiting the flats between low sand dunes or the slopes of sand ridges. The crest-tailed mulgara has been observed in areas with sparse vegetation, particularly those with sandhill canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) and Triodia grass species. Its ability to survive in such harsh environments showcases its remarkable adaptation to arid ecosystems.
As a renowned animal writer and conservation scientist, I hope this profile provides a comprehensive understanding of the crest-tailed mulgara, shedding light on its unique characteristics, distribution, and habitat preferences.
Facts About Crest-tailed mulgara
- The crest-tailed mulgara (Dasycercus cristicauda) is a small to medium-sized Australian carnivorous marsupial.
- It is a member of the family Dasyuridae.
- The diet of mulgaras includes insects, other arthropods, and small vertebrates.
- Mulgaras are able to consume 25% of their own weight in food and can subsist on very little water.
- The crest-tailed mulgara has a lifespan in captivity of five years, but under natural conditions, they are likely to live for only 2-3 years.
- Its population size has not been reliably estimated but is probably not substantially greater than 10,000 individuals during low rainfall years.
- The crest-tailed mulgara has been extinct in New South Wales for more than a century, known only from fossilized bone fragments.
- It is an opportunistic or non-specialist carnivore, eating a range of insects, arachnids, rodents, reptiles, and centipedes.
- The crest-tailed mulgara is also known as ampurta.
- The species was rediscovered in New South Wales after a century of being presumed locally extinct.