The Spotted-tailed Quoll or Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is mainland Australia's largest marsupial carnivore, other marsupial carnivores (Dasyurids) include the tiny Antechinus to the Tasmanian Devil and the now extinct Thylacine. The Blue Mountains with its deep forested gullies provide ideal habitat, and is a major stronghold for quolls in NSW.
The Spotted-tailed Quoll was common throughout Eastern Australia up until the last century when the combination of hunting, habitat destruction and disease decimated populations.
Winter is the time when most sightings occur, as the male quolls search for mates and new home ranges. As with all marsupials, quolls have a pouch, they can have up to six young.
The Spotted-tailed Quoll is protected and listed as endangered under state and federal legislation, as the species is in decline throughout its range through loss of habitat and competition from the introduced fox and feral cat.
A cat-sized animal, it is russet-coloured with large spots on its body and tail, they occasionally are seen near (or in!) chicken coops and have even been known to sneak into backyards to eat left-overs out of dog bowls. Chicken coops can be made 'quoll-proof' by being totally enclosed, and being made of very strong wire. Quolls are excellent climbers (and diggers) so a strong roof and floor are also essential.
If you have spotted a Spotted-tailed Quoll, you can submit your sighting to the Wildlife Atlas at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/upload-sightings-bionet.htm
