One of the rarest and most threatened members of the dunnart family, found only on Kangaroo Island, just off the coast of South Australia. This tiny marsupial looks like a miniature mouse with big, shining eyes, a pointed snout, and a slender tail. But don’t let its delicate appearance fool you—it’s a carnivorous little hunter that feeds on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, scurrying through the undergrowth at night to find its next meal. Being nocturnal and extremely secretive, it is rarely seen, making it one of the most mysterious creatures on the island.

What sets the Kangaroo Island dunnart apart from its mainland relatives is its tiny range and specialized habitat. While other dunnarts are widespread across Australia, this species is confined to the western part of Kangaroo Island, where it lives in dense heath and mallee shrublands. This narrow distribution makes it especially vulnerable to threats like habitat loss, invasive predators, and fire. In fact, the devastating 2019–2020 bushfires on Kangaroo Island destroyed much of its habitat and caused its population to plummet. Today, scientists estimate that only a few hundred individuals remain, making it one of Australia’s most endangered marsupials.

Despite its dire situation, the Kangaroo Island dunnart has some amazing survival strategies. Like its relatives, it can enter torpor, a state where it lowers its body temperature and conserves energy when food is scarce or conditions are tough. This helps it get through the harsh, dry summers of the island. At night, it is quick and agile, darting through leaf litter and shrubs, using its keen eyesight and sharp teeth to snap up prey. Unlike rodents, which it resembles, this dunnart is a true marsupial, carrying and nursing its young in a small pouch until they are ready to venture out on their own.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Australia

<500

Official estimate

CR

2008

South Australia