The Red-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale calura), is a small carnivorous marsupial found in central and western Australia.
It was formerly widespread throughout central and western Australia but is now restricted to the southern Western Australian wheat belt and is classified as near threatened by the International Union of Conservation of Nature red list and endangered by the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
Habitat
It is found in dense and tall climax vegetation, and appears to prefer those containing the Wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) and the Rock Sheoak (Allocasuarina huegeliana).
Wild status
Diet
An arboreal species, the red-tailed phascogale has a varied diet, and can feed on insects and spiders, but also small birds and small mammals, notably the house mouse (Mus musculus), which has become ubiquitous in the landscape since its introduction by Europeans; it does not drink as its water is metabolised through its food.
Predators
Owls, goannas snakes cats and foxes.
Size
The red-tailed phascogale is smaller and browner than its close relative the brush-tailed phascogale (body mass of males 60g, females 43g).
Reproduction
As in the brush-tailed phascogale, male red-tailed phascogales die following their first mating as a result of stress-related diseases. Males rarely live past 11.5 months, although females can live to three years old. Captive males can also survive up to three years.