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Dusky antechinus

Order : Dasyuromorphia
Family : Dasyuridae
Species : Antechinus swainsonii

Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii) is a carnivorous marsupial belonging to the Dasyuridae family. It is also called the Swainson's Antechinus. It occurs in the Australian mainland's southeast coastal regions from southwestern Victoria to southeastern Queensland and can be found in the island of Tasmania too. They nest either in ground vegetation or thick litter of leaves on forest floor or in a hollowed log in areas of sclerophyll forests and rainforests. It is a terrestial marsupial.

Although it is just of typical size, the dusky antechinus is already the largest among the species of antechinus. The body of this marsupial has a length of around 121 centimeters. The average weight for males is 65 grams, and sexual dimorphism is present as females have an average of only 41 grams. It looks like a shrew or a mouse, complete with long tail. The dusky anthechinus has two forms, a pale one and a darker form. However, both forms with fur color ranging from black to dark grey are still visibly darker compared to its distant relatives. The color of this animal becomes even darker on its feet, sides, and anal area.

Like many marsupials, this animal is a solitary nocturnal creature. It spends the day alone in its nest and hunts for food at night. As a carnivore, it devours invertebrates like insects and worms with an intense appetite and also hunts small birds, mice, skinks and lizards. When it eats a bony meal like a mouse or a bird, it has a strange habit of neatly turning the skin of its prey inside out in the process of devouring it. Its diet is supplemented by nectar, flowers, and some vegetable matter.

The dusky antechinus, like its swamp antechinus relative, has a distinguished copulation biology that happens for a short period during winter. The testosterone level of the male rises, and this drives him into a sexual frenzy. As a matter of fact, it competes on a very high intensity level with other males for female partners. In three weeks time, due mainly to high stress brought by physiological changes during copulation, all males die. After a gestation of four weeks, between six and eight babies are born to the females.

Picture from wikimedia, licensed under GFDL

Facts about the dusky antechinus

214 Tw (The breeding cycle of the Dusky Antechinus is remarkable.

Geographic Range Antechinus swainsonii is found in south-eastern Australia, ranging from southern Queensland to eastern South Australia, throughout Victoria and New South Whales, and on the island of Tasmania (Williams and Williams, 1982). (Full text)

The occurrence of the more abundant small mammals, Rattus fuscipes, Rattus lutreolus, Mus musculus and Antechinus swainsonii, is correlated with vegetation structure and floristics. (Full text)

The dusky antechinus is also found in the area. (Full text)

Winter active The Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii) is a carnivorous marsupial mouse, with sharp teeth and quick reflexes. (Full text)

Dusky Antechinus The dusky antechinus is a typically-sized carnivorous marsupial and is dark grey to black in colour. (Full text)

As with most marsupials, the dusky antechinus is nocturnal, spending the day-light hours within a nest in a hollowed log or among the thick leaf litter and ground vegetation of the forest floor. (Full text)

x&&i Status = Approved Last previewed on: 4 March 2005 22:29:20--> Home > Natural Environment > Wildlife and Game > Mammals > Carnivorous Marsupials and Bandicoots > Dusky Antechinus Dusky AntechinusThe dusky antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii) is a typically-sized carnivorous marsupial, with males averaging 65 grams (females average 41 grams). (Full text)

Add DPIWE - Dusky AntechinusThe dusky antechinus is a typically-sized carnivorous marsupial and is dark grey to black in colour. (Full text)

The Dusky Antechinus is a small ground-dwelling marsupial, about the size of a small rat. (Full text)

The Dusky Antechinus is a small, ground-dwelling marsupial, found only in Tasmania and on the east coast of mainland Australia. (Full text)

The dusky antechinus is a typically-sized carnivorous marsupial, with males averaging 65 grams (females average 41 grams). (Full text)

The Dusky Antechinus is found only on the east cost of Australia and Tasmania, living in mainly mountainous areas with dense understorey of ferns and scrubs. (Full text)

The Dusky Antechinus is found only on the east cost of Australia and Tasmania, living in mainly mountainous areas with dense understorey of ferns and scrubs. (Full text)