Tiger Quoll

The Tiger Quoll, Spot-tailed Quoll or Spotted-tailed Quoll is the largest marsupial carnivore surviving on mainland Australia. Tiger Quolls are more than 50% larger than other quolls and, unlike the other species, have white spots that extend along their tail. Tiger Quolls have bright eyes, a moist pink nose and sharp teeth. They have a pointed snout and a long tail. Their fur has a coarse texture and is red-brown to dark brown with white spots of varying size above and pale below Tiger Quolls hunt mostly at night. Their diet appears to consist primarily of medium-sized mammals (up to 70%), including gliders, possums, rabbits, and even small wallabies. They also like carrion (dead animals), birds and eggs. Small mammals, reptiles and invertebrates are also a significant part of the diet, particularly for juvenile quolls. Tiger Quolls are found in a range of forest habitats, from rainforest to open woodland. They require forest with suitable den sites such as rock crevices, caves, hollow logs, burrows and tree hollows. The Tiger Quoll has a large home range and can cover considerable distances (more than 6km) overnight. It is largely nocturnal and solitary. The Tiger Quoll was once common throughout southeastern Australia, including Tasmania. However, since European settlement it has become rare across most of its range.