Four species of quoll occur in Australia:
Saturday, 29 March 2008 20:47 | Last Updated on Saturday, 29 March 2008 20:52 | 
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The northern, spotted-tailed, eastern and western quolls.
Once, most parts of Australia were inhabited by at least one of the species. Captain Cook collected quolls along the east coast in 1770, and recorded "quoll" as their local Aboriginal name. Quolls were often seen by early settlers, who called them "native cat", "native polecat" and "spotted marten", names based on familiar European animals. Since 1770, all four species have declined dramatically in numbers. This is mainly because of habitat loss or change across Australia, and introduced predators such as foxes and cats.
Once, most parts of Australia were inhabited by at least one of the species. Captain Cook collected quolls along the east coast in 1770, and recorded "quoll" as their local Aboriginal name. Quolls were often seen by early settlers, who called them "native cat", "native polecat" and "spotted marten", names based on familiar European animals. Since 1770, all four species have declined dramatically in numbers. This is mainly because of habitat loss or change across Australia, and introduced predators such as foxes and cats.
Spotted-tailed Quoll
The spotted-tailed quoll is the largest native carnivore left on mainland Australia. It lives in forest, woodland and dense coastal heathland. The quoll's distribution has decreased markedly since European settlement, and it is now uncommon across most of its range. The small Queensland subspecies is nationally endangered and the larger south-eastern subspecies, although common in Tasmania, is listed as nationally vulnerable.
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Eastern Quoll
Saturday, 29 March 2008 20:40 | Last Updated on Saturday, 29 March 2008 20:56 |
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illustration Sue Stranger
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