Wongai ningaui (Inland Ningaui)
INTRODUCTION
Hi, I am Inland ningaui. We were formally first described to science only in 1975. We have long and untidy fur, grey or gingery brown with long black hairs, small ears, a narrow muzzle, and possess a partially prehensile tail and feet that allow us to climb. We are fierce, solitary, nocturnal. We hunt mainly by smell and hearing in clumps of spinifex (hummock grass), resting by day in thick undergrowth or an old hole dug by a lizard, rodent, or large spider. We are predators of invertebrates, such as beetles, crickets, and spiders, mostly less than 3 ⁄ 8 in (1 cm) long. This protein-filled and yummy diet helps me to boost my immunity. We are inhabitants of Desert and semi-desert, open habitats, including grassland, moor, heath, savanna, fields, scrub. My breeding season starts in Australia in October. My sweetheart gave birth to 5 – 8 young in a gestation period of 13 to 21 days. Young attach to my female’s teats in her relatively open pouch area for 6 weeks. They are weaned for 13 weeks.
- AVG. READING TIME: 6 MINUTES
- UPDATE: 10/04/2022
DIET : Beetles, crickets, and spiders
HABITAT : Desert and semi-desert. Open habitats, including grassland, moor, heath, savanna, fields, scrub
SOCIAL UNIT : Individual
LOCATIONS : C. Australia
STATUS / POPULATION : Least Concern (IUCN) Low-risk category that includes widespread and common species. / Unknown
MAMMALS: MARSUPIALS
KEY FACTS
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Chordate
Class – Mammals
Order – Dasyuromorphia Gill
Family – Didelphidae Gray
Genus – Ningaui Archer
Genus Species – Ningaui ridei Archer
INTERESTING FACTS
1- It has a semi-prehensile tail, needle sharp teeth and a long snout. The name ningaui derives from an Aboriginal word for tiny mythological beings that are hairy, have short feet and only come out at night
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CALLING NAMES / SCIENTIFIC NAME
Calling name: Inland ningaui, Wongai ningaui
Scientific Name: Ningaui ridei -
COLOUR VARIATIONS
Grey or gingery brown and black
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LIFE SPAN : CAPTIVITY / WILD
Captivity: N/A
Wild: 12 - 14 months average -
APPROXIMATE SIZE : LENGTH / HEIGHT
Length: 5 - 7.5cm (2 - 3in)
Height: Estimated (1 - 2 inches) -
TAIL
5 - 7cm (2 - 2.5in)
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WEIGHT
6.5 - 10.5g
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MIGRATION
No migration
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SEX IDENTIFICATION
MALE: Males are larger than females FEMALE: Females are smaller then males and have pouch
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BREEDING SEASON
Month of October in Australia
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REPRODUCTION / GESTATION PERIOD
Reproduction: Once a year
Gestation period: 13 and 21 days -
CLUTCH / LITTER SIZE
5 - 8 youngs
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SIMILAR SPECIES
Kultarr
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LOOK A LIKE
Rats and Rodents
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FARM ANIMAL
No
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FOUNDED IN / DISCOVERED
Ningaui ridei was first described in 1975, one of two species of a new genus discovered amongst the poorly known mammals of the western regions of Australia
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ORIGIN
C. Australia
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DISTRIBUTION
C. Australia
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OCCURRENCE
Families: 2
Species: 5 -
FUEL FOR LIFE / TROPHIC LEVEL
Carnivorous
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SIGNS / MARKS
Rub marks, scratching noises, holes, nests, and footprints
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PREDATORS
Elapid snakes
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AVAILABLITY IN ZOO / MUSEUM
N/A
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TO HUMANS
Not dangerous
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AS A PET
Not recommended
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KIDS FAVOURITE
No
