| Red-cheeked dunnart[1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Genus: | Sminthopsis |
| Species: | S. virginiae |
| Binomial name | |
| Sminthopsis virginiae (de Tarragon, 1847) | |
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| Red-cheeked dunnart range | |
| Synonyms | |
Phascologale virginiae | |
Thered-cheeked dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae) is anAustralasianmarsupial so called because of the distinctive red hair on its cheek. Its total length is 167–270 mm (6.6–10.6 in); its average body length is 80–135 mm (3.1–5.3 in) with a tail of 87–135 mm (3.4–5.3 in). Ear length is 12–13 mm (0.47–0.51 in). Its weight varies between 18 and 75 g (0.63 and 2.65 oz). Its tail is thin and pale pink.
The red-cheeked dunnart is distributed inAustralia andNew Guinea.The nominate subspeciesS. v. virginiae occurs in the Queensland around the North Gulf, NE coasts,Mackay toCape York. SubspeciesS. v. nitela inhabits theKimberley's to the top ofNorthern Territory. Habitat includeswoodlands, open rockyforests,savannahgrasslands,swamps,soaks and margins oftropical forests.
The behaviour of the red-cheeked dunnart, like mostSminthopsis species, is not well known. They breed from October to March. Young are gestated for 15 days and weaned at 65–70 days with maturity by 4–6 months.
Its typical diet includes insects and small vertebrates. They quickly learn to avoid the poisonouscane toad.[3]
There are three recognised subspecies of the red-cheeked dunnart:[1]
