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).

Gilbert's dunnart
Scientific classification Edit this 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

Distribution and habitat

edit

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

edit

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

edit

Gilbert's dunnart primarily eats insects.

References

edit
  1. ^ McKenzie, N. (2016). "Sminthopsis gilberti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40543A21948233. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40543A21948233.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
edit