# Eastern Quoll (*Dasyurus viverrinus*) The Eastern Quoll is a small, spotted marsupial that loves to explore at night. With its cute face and playful nature, it is a fun creature to learn about! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eastern Quoll](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eastern_quoll_%28Dasyurus_viverrinus%29_fawn_morph_Esk_valley_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_quoll_%28Dasyurus_viverrinus%29_fawn_morph_Esk_valley_2.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Quoll has sleek fur, typically dark brown or black, generously covered with distinctive white spots, resembling a slender, bushy-tailed cat. Its pointed snout and short legs differentiate it from other unspotted quoll species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Dasyuromorphia - **Family:** Dasyuridae - **Genus:** Dasyurus ## Interesting facts - Eastern Quolls are marsupials, meaning tiny, underdeveloped babies finish growing safely inside their mother's pouch! - Sadly, these quolls disappeared from mainland Australia by the 1960s, now only surviving in Tasmania. - Their thick, bushy tails can store fat, acting like a built-in snack bar for tougher times! - They often make a unique "sneeze" sound to communicate, especially when they feel threatened or excited! ## Special abilities - **Night Hunter:** Eastern Quoll has exceptional night vision and hearing that helps them locate and ambush prey in the darkest hours. - **Agile Climber:** Eastern Quoll can quickly climb trees using sharp claws and a flexible body that helps them escape danger or find food. - **Scent Detective:** Eastern Quoll has a highly sensitive nose that helps them track prey, find hidden food, and detect predators effectively. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.7-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-7 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-8 - **Gestation:** 19-24 days ## Diet & Feeding These opportunistic hunters munch on insects, small animals, carrion, and even fruits and berries! - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Small birds, Rodents, Eggs, Carrion, Fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Tasmanian Devil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tasmanian-devil) (*Sarcophilus harrisii*) — Quolls are prey for larger Tasmanian carnivores. - **Hunts:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Quolls hunt young rabbits when available. - **Eats:** Wood Mouse (*Apodemus sylvaticus*) — Quolls opportunistically feed on small rodents. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-dog) (*Canis familiaris*) — Domestic dogs can threaten quoll populations. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and do not try to touch wild animals like quolls. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Quoll? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Quoll? 35-45 cm ### How much does Eastern Quoll weigh? 0.7-2 kg ### How long does Eastern Quoll live? 3-7 years ### How fast can Eastern Quoll move? 25 km/h ### What does Eastern Quoll eat? These opportunistic hunters munch on insects, small animals, carrion, and even fruits and berries! ### Where is Eastern Quoll usually found? Forests ### How does Eastern Quoll hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eastern Quoll: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-quoll)