A cat-sized-looking marsupial predator that lives on the island of New Guinea, especially in forested highlands. It has that classic quoll look: a brown coat sprinkled with neat white spots, a pinkish nose, and an alert, prowling posture that makes it seem like it’s always investigating something. But it’s much smaller than many people expect, often not much heavier than a big water bottle, which helps it move quietly through branches and undergrowth.

Unlike the quoll species found in Australia, this one is native to New Guinea and is often found at higher elevations, meaning it can tolerate cooler mountain-forest conditions. Visually, one helpful “ID tip” is its tail: the white spots that decorate its back usually don’t continue onto the tail, which can make its overall pattern look a bit cleaner and more focused on the body. Even its feet hint at its lifestyle, with grippy pads that suit an animal that climbs well but also spends plenty of time on the forest floor.

In daily life, the New Guinean quoll is a flexible hunter with a surprisingly bold menu. It eats a wide range of prey, including birds, rodents, small reptiles, insects, and other forest creatures, and it has a reputation for tackling animals larger than itself—pretty impressive for a predator of its size. It is mainly active at night, when it can travel and hunt with less risk of being seen, but it may also spend some daylight hours basking in the sun, like it’s warming up and charging its energy for later. When it isn’t on the move, it rests in sheltered places such as hollow logs, rocky banks, or small caves—hidden little bedrooms tucked into the landscape.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Indonesia

2016

Papua New Guinea

2016