Dusky hopping-mouse
Common name: Dusky hopping-mouse
Scientific name: Notomys fuscus
Conservation status: The dusky hopping-mouse is 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992)and 'Vulnerable' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Description: The dusky hopping-mouse is a small nocturnal rodent. The average head and body measurement of a dusky-hopping mouse is 110mm, with an average tail measurement of 140mm. It is a light orange to grey colour above and white below. Both sexes have a throat-pouch.
Habitat and distribution: This species is found in n orth-eastern South Australia (southern Strzeleki Desert and the Cobblers Desert) and south-western Queensland. Since 1985, specimens have been collected from Carraweena, Montecollina Bore and Quinyambie Station, South Australia, and from Pelican Waterhole, south-western Queensland.
It is found in sand ridge habitats, which alternate with gibber flats and clay pans in the Pelican Waterhole area. It occurs in the same area as the fawn hopping-mouse; although the dusky hopping-mouse burrows only in the sand dunes while the fawn hopping-mouse burrows in clay soils.
Behaviour and life history: The dusky hopping-mouse spends its life in the dunes. Its burrow can be more than a metre below the surface and up to 5m long. Usually about five individuals will live in one or two adjacent burrow systems. At night they forage on the top and sides of the dune. Like other hopping-mice it does not need to drink but gains all of the water it needs from a diet of seeds, green plants and occasionally insects.
Little is known of its breeding behaviour in the wild. In captivity it will breed all year round. The gestation period is 38-41 days and litters of one to five are reared.
Threatening processes: The reason for decline of this species is not known.
Recovery actions:
- The threat posed by rabbits and foxes should be investigated.
- Management of rabbits and domestic stock is required to prevent further destruction of perennial plant cover and maintain dune stability.
Further information:
Watts, C.H. 1995. 'Dusky hopping-mouse' in The Mammals of Australia (ed. R. Strahan) Australian Museum and Reed New Holland, Sydney.
Last updated: 31 August 2006