Mulgara
The Mulgara, scientific name Dasycercus Cristicauda, is an endangered Australian Marsupial that lives in the
Spinifex bush and deserts of Central Australia.
Description: Roughly 12-22cm long with a 7-13 cm
tail, it is a carnivore closely related to the Tasmanian Devil and
Quolls. It is Nocturnal by nature, emerging from its burrows in the cool
of the evening to feed.
Taxonomy: The Dasycercus genus
had contained other species in the past which were moved to other genera
after some research. However, further resent studies have confirmed
another species in the genus,
Dasycercus Hillieri.
Habitat: Living in the desert, it has developed
highly specialised kidneys that excretes highly concentrated urine thus
conserving moisture. It rarely, if ever, drinks, gaining the moisture it
needs from its food, mostly insects, but also lizards and newborn
snakes.
Lifecycle: The breeding season is from May through
September, with litters of 6-7 young raised in the pouch comprised of
two lateral folds of skin.
Importance: The Mulgara
performs a vital role within its ecological niche in controlling the
population of certain insects, rodents and reptiles. Its disappearance
would of course upset this balance.
Conservation: The Mulgara is considered
anywhere from Vulnerable to
Extinct, depending on the convening body. Regardless, the outlook is
grim for this unique Australian animal.
