Northern hopping mouse
Common name: Northern hopping-mouse
Scientific name: Notomys aquilo
Family: Muridae
Conservation status: This species is listed as Vulnerable in Queensland (Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992), the Northern Territory (Territory Parks and Wildlife Act 2000) and nationally (Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). It is ranked as a ‘Data Deficient’, a priority for research under the Department of Environment and Resource Management ‘Back on Track’ species prioritisation framework.
Description
The northern hopping-mouse is a medium-sized, terrestrial rodent that is a sandy-brown colour. The narrow hind feet and partly tufted tail are very long and the ears and eyes are large. The most obvious sign of the species presence are the bipedal (on two feet) tracks, the result of its distinctive hopping gait.
Habitat and distribution
A broad range of grassland, shrubland and open forest habitats, typically on sandy substrates in coastal or near-coastal areas, provide habitat for the northern hopping-mouse.
Knowledge of the species distribution in Queensland is limited, however anecdotal evidence suggests that it has experienced range declines over the last 200 years. Despite some limited searches in potentially suitable areas, there has been no confirmed record of the species in Queensland since a very imprecise Cape York record of the 1870s. In the Northern Territory, it is restricted to coastal areas around the Gulf of Carpentaria, mostly Arnhem Land and Groote Eylandt.
Behaviour and life history
The northern hopping-mouse is a highly communal species with many individuals occupying single burrow systems. The extremely limited knowledge of the species ecology and general biology, limits conservation planning, threat identification and management.
Based mainly on studies of its close relatives, the northern hopping-mouse is likely to be mostly granivorous, feeding on grass seeds, herbs and shrubs.
Threatening processes
All northern hopping-mouse populations are subject to threatening processes associated with habitat change through altered fire regimes and possibly through the impacts of livestock and predation by feral cats. The communal nature of this species may increase its susceptibility to feral cat predation, as cats may wait at burrow entrances and consume entire colonies over several nights. Populations are subject to the impacts of strip-mining in the Northern Territory.
Recovery actions
- Undertake studies and implement monitoring programs to increase knowledge of the species ecology, geographic distribution and abundance.
- Conduct surveys to clarify how threatening processes impact on this species.
- Maintain and/or enhance habitat through fire management, eradication of cats where feasible, and maintenance of the cat-free status at existing sites (e.g. islands).
- Reduce the impact of land-use operations such as mining by establishing communication with industry groups and providing management advice.
What can be done to help this species?
- Report suspected sightings of this species to your local Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) office. Contact the WildNet team on (07) 3330 5484 or WildNet@derm.qld.gov.au on how best to contribute data.
- Residents and visitors of cat-free sites (e.g. North Island) can help maintain this status by ensuring that cats are not introduced to these areas.
Last reviewed 23 February 2011
Last updated 22 July 2010