Brown Antechinus
Marsupial Mouse
Greyish-brown above and paler below, large thin ears, tail same length as body or shorter.
Identification
Small native carnivorous marsupial, greyish-brown above and paler below. Long pointed head with bulging eyes and four pairs of small sharp incisor teeth. Ears are large, thin and crinkly with a notch in the margin. Tail is the same length as the body or shorter and is sparsely haired. It weighs up 71 grams.
Alternative name/s
Marsupial Mouse.
Habitat
Woodland and forest habitats.
Distribution
Northern and eastern Australia.
Feeding and diet
It is mostly nocturnal, coming out during the night to prey upon insects, spiders, centipedes and sometimes small reptiles and frogs. During the day it can be found in large communal nests in tree hollows, crevices or logs on the ground.
Breeding behaviours
Males live for approximately 11 months and have a short breeding cycle of about 2 weeks in winter, after which they die as a result of stress and exhaustion. Females give birth to undeveloped naked young that latch onto teats in the pouch for up to 50 days. The pouch is an open slit found on the belly.
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