Tiger Cat

Tiger Cat or Quoll, common name for a group of six species of Australasian carnivorous marsupials, which are cat-like in appearance but are more closely related to kangaroos. Two species are found on the island of New Guinea and four in Australia. One of the Australian species, the eastern quoll, is probably extinct on the mainland, and can be found only on Tasmania.

All species have a white spotted coat on a brown to black background, and a white underside. They have a body length of between 27 to 40 cm (10 to 14 in), with a tail that forms about two thirds of the body’s length. They weigh about 1 kg (2ƒ lbs), and the females are slightly smaller than the males. One species, the spotted-tailed quoll, is much larger, with the male weighing up to 7 kg (15y lbs), and the female as much as 4 kg (8˜ lbs).

These marsupials occupy the ecological niche that would be filled by various small carnivores, like weasels or genets, in other parts of the world. They hunt at night, feeding on a wide range of small animals and birds, and on carrion. The larger species is capable of killing wallabies, although they also eat grasses and fruits. Tiger cats exploit a range of habitats, but forested areas are preferred as they provide more cover and a wider variety of prey species. They are good climbers and spend much of their time in trees.

Tiger cats are unsociable animals. They breed during the Australasian winter, and give birth to four to eight young after a gestation period of about 21 days. Like other marsupials, the newborn offspring are attached to the mother’s nipples in the pouch for seven weeks. In at least one species, the male will bring food to the nest site for the female and offspring. In other cases, the male’s only reproductive role is to impregnate the female. They are independent at 18 weeks, reach sexual maturity at one year, and are fully grown by the time they are two years old. Their normal lifespan is between six and eight years.

Tiger cats have been known to attack poultry farms and are persecuted by farmers in some regions. This persecution, plus the destruction of their habitats and the introduction of dogs and foxes, which prey on tiger cats, has led to a significant decline in numbers.

Scientific classification: Tiger cats belong to the order Dasyuromophia within the the superorder Marsupialia. The eastern quoll and spotted-tailed quolls are classified as Dasyurus viverrinus and Dasyurus maculatus respectively.