Reproduction

Mating takes place during winter with a three week breeding window in July. Females will breed at the same nesting site each year.

Females give birth to a maximum of 13 young after a 28-30 day gestation period. Only eight of these will survive as the females have eight nipples.

The joeys rely on their mother for milk during August and October.

Young begin to disperse and find their own home before the end of February.

At the conclusion of the mating season all of the males pass away and are replaced by the juveniles next season. Females may live for up to 3 years giving them the opportunity to breed three times.

In captivity males have shown the ability to live for multiple years.

Behavior

These animals are nocturnal emerging from their tree hollow nests at night to feed. Some have been observed during the day when they will emerge to feed.

Red-tailed phascogales are nocturnal and move through the trees with ease. They have the ability to leap up to 2m (6.6ft) across. They may come to the ground to feed or find water.

When running they can move at high speeds.

During bushfires they will move to nest hollows above the fireline where they can avoid the flames.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the red-tailed phascogale include owls, goannas and snakes.

Introduced predators such as the domestic cat and red fox are among the largest threats to the red-tailed phascogale.

Humans affect their population through habitat loss and fragmentation. Habitat clearing is primarily for agricultural development. Fire regimes are also a threat.

Quick facts

The red-tailed phascogale is also known as the red-tailed wambenger or the red-tailed mousesack. In parts of their range they are known by their indigenous name of Kenngoor.