Brush Tail Phascogale

Bendigo Victoria

This is a medium sized, sharp snouted, nocturnal marsupial, with a black bushy tail. It feeds on beetles, ants and spiders and uses tree hollows for refuge and breeding. The males live for 12 months; the last month spent searching for receptive females. Females are also short lived, surviving for up to 18 months, breeding at least once, but rarely more than twice. Their habitat is dry open forest with adequate large old trees, with fallen branches, abundant leaf litter and ground vegetation. Federal classification - listed, State classification - vulnerable.