An observation of mating in free-living spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis)

Abstract

Mating by a pair of wild spotted-tailed quolls was captured in a series of still images on a motion camera at the Windsor Tableland, far north Queensland. Typical of dasyurids, the mating was prolonged (5.75 h), although shorter than that usually described for captive quolls. Surprisingly, mating commenced shortly before dawn, and continued into mid-morning in an exposed location on the rainforest floor. The mating resulted in a distinctive, cleared circular area on the forest floor, similar to that described in captive situations. This may be a useful, if short-lived trace, for identifying the presence of mating quolls.