Planigales

Collection Highlights | Updated 10 years ago

Planigales are the smallest of all marsupials with some members of this carnivorous group weighing less than 5 grams.

Being small, nocturnal and secretive, they are rarely seen; however, they are generally common in many parts of the arid interior of Western Australia.

Their small size and puzzling nature makes them difficult to tell apart, but with recent work being undertaken on the Planigales collections it has been possible to recognise two species new to science.

Although yet to be formally described and published, these species are easiest to tell apart externally by the shape of their footpads, consequently the Museum has taken a series of footpad photos to aid in identification of the species comprising this genus.

Mammalogy (Mammals) Collection