Mulgara
In a nutshell, the Mulgara, scientific name Dasycercus cristicauda, is an 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.
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 os
two lateral folds of skin.
Importance: 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.
Conservation: The Mulgara is considered Vulnerable to
Extinct, depending on the convening body. Regardless, the outlook is
grim for this unique Australian animal.
