The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™

ISSN 2307-8235 (online)

IUCN 2008: T6295A21947321

Dasyurus hallucatus, Northern Quoll

Assessment by: Oakwood, M., Woinarski, J. & Burnett, S.

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: Oakwood, M., Woinarski, J. & Burnett, S. 2016. Dasyurus hallucatus. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2016: e.T6295A21947321. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-
2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en

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Taxonomy
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family

Animalia Chordata Mammalia Dasyuromorphia Dasyuridae

Taxon Name:  Dasyurus hallucatus Gould, 1842

Synonym(s):
• Satanellus hallucatus (Gould, 1842)

Common Name(s):
• English: Northern Quoll
• French: Chat Marsupial Du Nord

Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria: Endangered A2ce+3ce+4ce ver 3.1

Year Published: 2016

Date Assessed: June 15, 2015

Justification:
Listed as Endangered because of a serious population decline, estimated to exceed 50% over the last 10
years, and one that is projected to continue at a similar rate over the next 10 years based on the effects
of habitat destruction and/or degradation, cane toads, and introduced predators.

Previously Published Red List Assessments

2008 – Endangered (EN) – http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6295A12600197.en

1996 – Lower Risk/near threatened (LR/nt)

Geographic Range
Range Description:
The Northern Quoll occurs in the northern parts of Australia. Historically, it occurred in northern
Australia from Pilbara to south-east Queensland, extending inland as far south as Alexandria. More
recently, there has been substantial decline in southern and eastern Queensland and the Cape York
Peninsula. The Northern Quoll has apparently disappeared from most or all of the lower rainfall former
range in the Northern Territory and south-east and south-west Kimberley. A substantial decline has also
occurred in Pilbara (Maxwell et al. 1996). The species has been recorded from Groote Eylandt and the
nearby North-east Island, Marchinbar Island (in the Wessel group), Inglis Island (in the English Company
Islands group) and Vanderlin Island (Sir Edward Pellew group). It has also been recently translocated to
Astell and Pobassoo Islands in the English Company island group (Woinarski 2005). This species occurs
up to around 1,300 m asl.

Country Occurrence:

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 1
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en
Native: Australia

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 2
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Distribution Map
Dasyurus hallucatus

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 3
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en
Population
The species is locally common, although it currently is undergoing declines across much of its range.
Densities of 3-4 females per square kilometre in savannah woodland have been recorded (Oakwood
2002). Several studies suggest that there has been a recent, severe population decline in Kakadu
National Park due to cane toads (Watson and Woinarski 2003, Oakwood 2004). This species is common
in north-western Kimberley, particularly in near-coastal, high-rainfall areas (A. Burbidge pers. comm.).
Current Population Trend:  Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)

The Northern Quoll occurs in a range of habitats including Eucalyptus open forest, monsoon rainforest,
and savannah woodlands. The species is most abundant (and apparently with less fluctuations) in rocky
environments. In north Queensland, it is most common in coastal and/or high altitude rocky areas and
in drier habitats of upland tablelands (Maxwell et al. 1996). This species is a generalist, as it occurs in a
wide range of habitats and its diet consists of a variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates (Woinarski
2005). The Northern Quoll shelters in hollow logs, rock crevices, caves, and tree hollows (Woinarski
2005). It is mostly a ground-dwelling species, but is also an adept climber (Woinarski 2005).

Systems:  Terrestrial

Threats (see Appendix for additional information)

Current threats are uncertain, but the species may be vulnerable to disease, possibly related to the
presence of cats. Cats and dogs are known to kill individuals, although they apparently do not like to eat
them. Predation is the main cause of mortality in some areas (exacerbated by changes in fire regimes
that result in more frequent burning), particularly woodland and forest habitats (Maxwell et al. 1996).
There have been recent substantial population declines in the Iron Range (Queensland), Cape York
Peninsula, and the top end of the Northern Territory associated with the spread of cane toads and land-
use changes. For instance, major declines to regional extinction have been reported for Northern Quolls
following cane toad invasion on Cape York Peninsula (Burnett 1997). Northern Quolls appear to be
particularly susceptible to the poison of cane toads, and are killed when they attempt to kill or consume
the toads (Woinarski 2005). The species has also disappeared from coastal lowland areas in north
Queensland following agricultural and urban development (Maxwell et al. 1996).

Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)

The Northern Quoll occurs in a number of protected areas. Recommended actions for this species
(Maxwell et al. 1996) include: monitor abundance and disease status at selected sites across range;
undertake additional research into causes of decline. In the Northern Territory, it has been recorded
from 15 conservation reserves (Kakadu, Litchfield, Garig Gunak Barlu, Mary River, Manton Dam,
Nitmiluk, Umbrawara Gorge, Fogg Dam, Charles Darwin, Black Jungle, Tjuwaliyn (Doglas Hot Springs),
Berry Springs, Limmen, Leaning Tree Lagoon, and Howard Springs) (Woinarski 2005).

Credits
Assessor(s): Oakwood, M., Woinarski, J. & Burnett, S.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 4
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en
Reviewer(s): Johnson, C.N. & Hawkins, C.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 5
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Bibliography
Braithwaite, R. W. and Griffiths, A. D. 1994. Demographic variation and range contraction in the
Northern Quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus (Marsupalia: Dasyuridae). Wildlife Research 21: 203-217.

Burnett, S. 1997. Colonising cane toads cause population declines in native predators: reliable anecdotal
information and management implications. Pacific Conservation Biology 3: 65-72.

IUCN. 2016. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016-2. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 04 September 2016).

Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A.A. and Morris, K. 1996. The 1996 Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and
Monotremes. Australasian Marsupial and Monotreme Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival
Commission, Gland, Switzerland.

Oakwood, M. 2000. Reproduction and demography of the northern quoll, Dasyurus hallucatus, in the
lowland savanna of northern Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology 48: 519-539.

Oakwood, M. 2002. Spatial and social oganization of a carnivorous marsupial Dasyurus hallucatus
(Marsupialia: Dasyuridae). Journal of Zoology (London) 257: 237-248.

Oakwood, M. 2004. The effect of cane toads on a marsupial carnivore, the northern quoll, Dasyurus
hallucatus. Report to Parks Australia. Envirotek, Nana Glen.

Pacifici, M., Santini, L., Di Marco, M., Baisero, D., Francucci, L., Grottolo Marasini, G., Visconti, P. and
Rondinini, C. 2013. Generation length for mammals. Nature Conservation 5: 87–94.

Watson, M. and Woinarski, J. 2003. Vertebrate monitoring and re-sampling in Kakadu National Park,
2002. Report to Parks Australia. Tropical Savannas Cooperative Research Centre, Darwin, Australia.

Watt, A. 1993. Conservation status and draft management plan for Dasyurus maculatus and D.
hallucatus in southern Queensland. Report to Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage and
Department of Environment, Sport and Territories.

Woinarski, J. 2005. Northern Quoll: Dasyurus hallucatus. Threatened Species of the Northern Territory.

Citation
Oakwood, M., Woinarski, J. & Burnett, S. 2016. Dasyurus hallucatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2016: e.T6295A21947321. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en

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External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 6
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en
 Appendix

Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Major
Habitat Season Suitability
Importance?

1. Forest -> 1.5. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Dry - Suitable Yes

3. Shrubland -> 3.4. Shrubland - Temperate - Suitable Yes

Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score

1. Residential & commercial development -> 1.1. Ongoing - - -

Housing & urban areas
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual & Ongoing - - -

perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.4. Scale
Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming Ongoing - - -

& ranching -> 2.3.4. Scale Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

7. Natural system modifications -> 7.1. Fire & fire Ongoing - - -

suppression -> 7.1.3. Trend Unknown/Unrecorded
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation

8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes & Ongoing - - -

diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Rhinella
marina)
Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality

8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes & Ongoing - - -

diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Felis catus)
Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality

8. Invasive and other problematic species, genes & Ongoing - - -

diseases -> 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien
species/diseases -> 8.1.2. Named species (Canis
familiaris)
Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 7
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Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions in Place

In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management

Occur in at least one PA: Yes

Conservation Actions Needed

(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions Needed

2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management

Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats

2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan

3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends

Additional Data Fields

Distribution
Lower elevation limit (m): 0

Upper elevation limit (m): 1300

Population
Population severely fragmented: No

Habitats and Ecology

Generation Length (years): 2

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyurus hallucatus – published in 2016. 8
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6295A21947321.en
The IUCN Red List Partnership

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.

The IUCN Red List Partners are: Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens
Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; and Zoological Society of London.

THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™