New Guinean Quoll
The New Guinean quoll is small, usually weighing just over 1lb. Its body is brown and the back spotted with white; the spots do not extend onto the lightly haired tail. It resembles a cat-like opossum; the quolls are also referred to as "native cats" and occasionally "marsupial cats" or "tiger cats". Its feet have transversely striated pads, which is likely to be an adaptation for grip and is indicative of a life spent in the trees. It is known as suatg in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea
Habitat
They are widespread throughout tropical moist forest including areas of disturbed forest. It has been reported from rural gardens and entering villages to prey on rats. Very little is known about the biology of this species.The New Guinea Quoll is a top-level predator in New Guinea. Local people report that it spends more time hunting in trees than on the ground.
Diet
Quolls feed on a large range of prey, including birds, rats, other marsupials, small reptiles, and insects. They are reported to feed on prey larger than themselves. They are good climbers, but also spend time on the forest floor. Although nocturnal, they spend the daylight hours basking in the sun. They nest in rocky banks, hollow logs, or small caves. In captivity, the longest recorded survival is three years, but their lifespan in the wild is unknown.
Breeding
Quoll breeding season takes place between late autumn and early winter. The young are carried in the pouch for 6 to 8 weeks, after which their mother leaves them in the den while she goes out to hunt and forage. If she needs to move to a different den, she carries the young on her back.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List they are classed as Near Threatened(nt) and they are decreasing. They were last assessed in 29 June 2016. This species may be locally common, but declines have been noted especially in areas where human impact has increased. Quolls are hunted, and are branded as "stilman" (thief) because they take domesticated chickens and ducks from villages. Therefore they are killed on sight as a pre-emptive measure to protect poultry. Local people also say that they are good to eat. Hunting records from the YUS Conservation Area on the Huon Peninsula during 2012 and 2014 show that significant numbers of quolls are hunted, but the kill frequency is lower than for other prey species. Camp dogs may also reduce numbers close to villages.
Threats
Increasing human populations, hunting by dogs, and expanding land-use may have an impact on this species (particularly the potential loss of the lowland habitats to oil palms). It is possible that it is affected by competition with introduced cats, but studies are needed for confirmation.
Conservation
The New Guinea Quoll has been recorded from a number of protected areas, including the YUS Conservation Area on the Huon Peninsula. It is not currently protected by any government legislation and deserves some attention and targeted research as a key predator.