This species is endemic to Australia, where it is found in rocky areas of central Western Australia and central southern Northern Territory. In Northern Territory, this species has been recorded at only six sites, all in West MacDonnell National Park between Serpentine Gorge and Mt. Sonder (Pavey 2002). In Western Australia it is found in the Pilbara, Murchinson, Northeastern Goldfields, Ashburton, and Gibson Desert regions (Pavey 2002).

The long-tailed dunnart, -Sminthopsis longicaudata-, is native to northwestern Western Australia where it inhabits rugged, rocky outcrops (Burbidge et al. 1995, Nowak 1999).

Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )

Historic Range:
Australia

The long-tailed dunnart has an average head and body length of 80-100mm for males and 80-90mm for females. The most distinct characteristic for identification of -Sminthopsis longicaudata- is a tail that is more than twice the length of the body; in males tail length ranges from 200-210mm and in females tail length is between 180-200mm. The tail is mostly scaly with a few short hairs; the end of the tail has longer hairs that form a brush-like tip. The fur on the dorsal part of the body is gray, while the underbelly is pale cream to white in color. The legs and the feet are white; the feet being slender and having striated or granulated pads. The head is somewhat flattened in shape with a long snout (Burbidge et al. 1995, Nowak 1999).

Range mass: 15 to 21 g.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Habitat is restricted to rugged, rocky outcrops of the western arid region of Australia (Burbidge et al 1995).

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune

The diet of -S. longicaudata- is primarily insectivorous. The bulk of their diet consists of arthropods, spiders, roaches, centipedes, grasshoppers, flies, and various larvae (Burbidge et al. 1995). Occasionally lizards, mice, and other small vertebrates are consumed (Nowak 1999).

There is no information on reproduction in -S. longicaudata- in the wild, but some studies have been performed on captive animals (Wooley and Valente 1986). Females are polyestrus, with estrous periods lasting from August through December (Burbidge et al. 1995, Wooley and Valente 1986). Estrous cycles last from 51 to 30 days, with each cycle shorter than the one previous to it (Wooley and Valente 1986). Parturition occurs between 17 and 19 days after mating, and the young are fully enclosed in the pouch for the first three weeks after parturition. The female's pouch contains six nipples (Wooley and Valente 1986).

The age at which an individual of this species reaches sexual maturity is unknown (Wooley and Valente 1986).

In western Australia there appear to be only three wild populations of -S. longicaudata-, two occuring in national parks and the other in a nature reserve (Burbidge et al 1995).

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: appendix i

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Current Listing Status Summary

Status: Endangered
Date Listed: 12/02/1970
Lead Region: Foreign (Region 10) 
Where Listed:


Population detail:

Population location: entire
Listing status: E

For most current information and documents related to the conservation status and management of Sminthopsis longicaudata , see its USFWS Species Profile

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions