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Native fauna

Yellow-footed Antechinus

Antechinus flavipes
SA VulnerableIllustration

A mouse-sized native marsupial, not a rodent. It vanishes where foxes are present and returns when they are controlled.

Illustration of Yellow-footed Antechinus, not a photograph
Illustration, not a photograph. A real photo will replace it once we have one.

How to identify it

  • Head-body 9 to 12 cm, tail nearly as long again. Mouse to small-rat sized.
  • Pointed snout, big dark eyes, rounded ears.
  • Grey head grading to rich orange-brown flanks and rump, cream belly.
  • Quick and jerky, climbs well, active day and night.

Where it lives

Woodland with logs, litter and dense ground cover to forage and shelter in.

When to look

Active year round, day and night.

Native or pest? A pointy face, orange in the coat and many small even teeth means the native antechinus. A blunt face, plain grey coat and two big gnawing teeth means a pest house mouse. Get this right before any rodent control.

Status at Skye

An ideal sanctuary species. To be confirmed on the blocks, distinguished cleanly from the house mouse.

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