Brush Up on the Brush-tailed phascogale
The brush-tailed phascogale, also known as common wambenger (Nyungar), or tuan (Gubbi Gubbi), the black-tailed mousesack, or Phascogale tapoatafa is a species of marsupial found dry, open eucalyptus forests around Australia's coast. There are three distinct subspecies scattered along the eastern coast, the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and Cape Leeuwin in south Western Australia respectively.
Wambenger are fairly small; adults weigh between 110-235 g (3.8-8.2 oz) and reach up to 23 cm (9 in) length. The tail is the length of the body, and tipped with thick-brush like fur. The rest of the body is grey, and they have a white underbelly. P. tapoatafa has a rodent-like appearance, with a pointed nose and large ears.
Tuan spend most of their time in trees, and rarely come down onto the ground. They forage at night for insects, smaller mammals, birds and eggs, lizards, and flowers that they can drink nectar from. They are often predated upon by owls, as well as introduced cats and foxes. Adults are solitary, females occupy their own territories which they fiercely defend outside the breeding season.
Breeding occurs from June to August. Females establish nests in tree hollows or stumps. Males expend large amounts of energy competing against other males and mating with as many females as possible. Females gestate for about 30 days, and give birth to 7-8 young. These remain in her pouch for 7 weeks, and then remain in the nest until they are 5 months old. Males die during or shortly after breeding in their first year, while females rarely live to be older than 2 years old.
Conservation status: The IUCN has classified the brush-tailed phascogale as Near Threatened. Due to their small and patchy distribution, they are extremely vulnerable to habitat destruction.
Photos
Albert Wright
Ken Stepnell
Chris Tzaros
