The northern quoll is the smallest of Australia’s four quoll species, weighing up to one kilogram.

This iconic marsupial has declined drastically in the Northern Territory in recent decades, but luckily it still persists in some areas.

Behaviour

Northern quolls live in woodlands, especially near rocky outcrops. Nocturnal animals, they shelter in hollow logs, tree hollows and rock crevices during the day.

They mainly eat insects, birds, small mammals and amphibians. Unfortunately, they are also happy to dine on poisonous cane toads.

Northern quolls have a naturally short lifespan. The males die off after the mating season in Yekke (May – June) and females usually reproduce only once, but may breed up three times. Litters are normally 5 – 10 young, and they are independent after 4 – 5 months.

Conservation

Northern quolls were once widespread across much of northern Australia and were a common sight in Kakadu. Like many other small to medium sized native mammals, northern quolls have declined in abundance in recent decades, and are now locally extinct from many parts of their former range.  

A range of factors have contributed to their decline; habitat degradation by feral herbivores and inappropriate fire regimes, as well as predation by feral cats and wild dogs. Their tendency to eat cane toads means that many have also died from poisoning.

Fortunately, recent motion sensor camera trapping surveys have revealed that small populations are persisting in several parts of Kakadu. Focused fire and feral management in these areas provide our best opportunity to maintain and restore these populations.

Culture

According to a traditional story, Njanjma (quoll) argued with Dird (the Moon) about whether humans should come back to life. Angry people threw burning sticks at Njanjma for arguing, which gave the quoll its white spots. Now Dird comes back every month, while Njanjma dies like other creatures.

Other names

• Scientific name: Dasyurus hallucatus