Fact Sheet Three
Searching For Quolls
** Note - Any interference with native wildlife requires permits from Queensland Parks & Wildlife (QPWS). Penalties apply for breaching this requirement **
INTRODUCTION
Spotted-tailed quolls (Dasyurus maculatus) are extremely difficult to detect and surveying them could be labour and resource intensive but one should not get discouraged since getting no sign of a quoll is still an important piece of information. For example, in the most recent study done by Watts in 1993 1, only six individuals were seen after sampling effort of 4133 trap nights. This study indicated their low density and the relevance of their conservation.
Before getting into the techniques, it is important to know the habitat in which they live. Spotted-tailed quolls are known to live in dry and wet sclerophyll forests, mostly in the closed canopy of a wet forest. They reside in rock caves and hollow logs 1,2.
MONITORING
TECHNIQUES
Since quolls are not frequently seen, any sign of their presence is precious information. When ever possible, try to take pictures of quolls, their den sites, and their prints. It is also beneficial to record the habitat in which they were found.
Scats can also provide a good source of information on the presence and absence and on dietary information. To preserve scats, dry them in an oven at very low temperature for two to three days. It may be useful to go spotlighting or transect walks in areas where quolls have been sighted. Some of the more advanced techniques can be found below.
SAND TRAP
This is a specially prepared sand, designed for the animals to leave tracks when they pass over it 2. If there are naturally occurring fine grain or sand in the area, it would be best to use such material. Sift the sand and cover an approximate area of 1.5m2. The trap could be baited or non baited. Tracks based on Triggs (1996).
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| Right Rear Foot Print | Right Front Foot Print |
This method allows one to obtain the hair sample of the animals, which decide to walk through the trap. Variety of designs can be used and the prices range between $4 and $20. Specially designed sticky paper can be purchased from …. and placed in the trap. It is best to place these traps along walking tracks and creek beds. The traps can be placed in a mixture of terrestrial and arboreal locations to minimise the effect of rain. It is also beneficial to leave the traps for a prolonged period of time to help rid the human scent.
CAGE
TRAPPING
One can use a baited cage to trap small mammals such as quolls. It is best to have transects of 2-3km along the tracks. Some favorite sites are known to be where the gullies and roads intersect. Baits can vary and here are some examples: large marrow bones, mammalian road kills, dog and cat food, chicken head and wings and beef.
Watt A (1993). Conservation status and draft management plan for Dasyurus maculatus and D. hallucatus in southern Queensland.135pp. DEH Management Report, 10 February 1993.
- Threatened Species Network A threatened species action project, Monitoring Techniques Workshop August 27. Unpublished.