Quoll :: WLR:- The quoll or native cat is a carnivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea. Adults are between 25 and 75 centimeters (9.8 and 30 in) long, with hairy tails about 20 to 35 centimeters (14 in) long. Females have six nipples and develop a pouch—which opens towards the tail—only during the breeding season, when they are rearing young. They do not have prehensile tails, but do have ridges on the pads of their feet, to walk the rough ground. Their molars and canines are well developed. Quolls are primarily, nocturnal and spend most of the day in their dens. There are six species of quoll.
Quolls are indigenous to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmaina where they live in forests and open valley land. Although primarily ground-dwelling they have developed secondary arboreal characteristics. They were once found all over the three land masses, but now are found in only a few areas. Each species of quoll lives in different areas.
Quolls are primarily nocturnal, sleeping in hollowed out logs or rocky dens and coming out to hunt during the night, though on rare occasions they can be seen looking for prey during the day. They are mostly ground-dwelling creatures, but due to their second aboreal characteristics, it is not uncommon to see them climbing trees. Quolls mark their territory several kilometers away from their dens. Male's territory often overlaps many female's territories and male and female quolls only meet for mating. Quolls have communal "bathroom" spots, usually on an outcropping used for marking territory and social functions.These communal latrines may have up to one hundred droppings in them.
Quolls are mostly carnivorous; the larger species eat birds, reptiles and small mammals such as rabbits, bandicoots, echidnas, and possums. The smaller quolls primarily eat insects, birds, frogs, lizards and fruit, but every variety of quoll has been known to eat carrion. The quoll's diet is dominated by medium-sized mammals such as brush-tailed possums, rabbits and hares. The exact mix is adaptable based on reduced availability after bushfires, and can include carrion or bandicoots when food is scarce. Quolls can obtain all the water they need from the food they eat.This makes them quite adaptable during droughts or other periods where a shortage of water is present.
Quolls are indigenous to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmaina where they live in forests and open valley land. Although primarily ground-dwelling they have developed secondary arboreal characteristics. They were once found all over the three land masses, but now are found in only a few areas. Each species of quoll lives in different areas.
Quolls are primarily nocturnal, sleeping in hollowed out logs or rocky dens and coming out to hunt during the night, though on rare occasions they can be seen looking for prey during the day. They are mostly ground-dwelling creatures, but due to their second aboreal characteristics, it is not uncommon to see them climbing trees. Quolls mark their territory several kilometers away from their dens. Male's territory often overlaps many female's territories and male and female quolls only meet for mating. Quolls have communal "bathroom" spots, usually on an outcropping used for marking territory and social functions.These communal latrines may have up to one hundred droppings in them.
Quolls are mostly carnivorous; the larger species eat birds, reptiles and small mammals such as rabbits, bandicoots, echidnas, and possums. The smaller quolls primarily eat insects, birds, frogs, lizards and fruit, but every variety of quoll has been known to eat carrion. The quoll's diet is dominated by medium-sized mammals such as brush-tailed possums, rabbits and hares. The exact mix is adaptable based on reduced availability after bushfires, and can include carrion or bandicoots when food is scarce. Quolls can obtain all the water they need from the food they eat.This makes them quite adaptable during droughts or other periods where a shortage of water is present.
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