Did You Know?

• The Kowari is a carnivorous marsupial found in patches around southwest Queensland and northeast South Australia
• Although this marsupial is a decent climber and quite the long jumper, they spend the majority of their time on the ground
• While scurrying around on the ground, the Kowari will take some time out to dig a nice, comfy burrow (or steal one from someone else)
• Provided the Kowari has plenty of food in their home range, they don’t need to drink any water as they are able to fullfil this need from their prey

A Little Vulnerable

Unfortunately, the Kowari population is rapidly decreasing and currently has an estimated population around 10, 000 wild adults. As such these precarious marsupials have been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Essentially, if things don’t start improving soon, this cute, little creature will become Endangered. So what is causing their decline? Interestingly enough, it is grazing cattle who typically take up their land and hog the watering holes. As well, it is predicted that climate change will have a major impact on the Kowari population, so the future does not look very bright for this marsupial. 

A Taste for Meat

Earlier, I mentioned that the Kowari is an carnivore. Yes, these little creature have a taste for meat and will usually prey upon insects and spiders, however, they have also been known to consume small lizards, birds and of course rodents. It always intrigues me when an animal that is only 18 cm (7″) long has no problem eating birds and reptiles.

14 Kids in a Year…Yikes!

Even with their small size, the Kowari is still a marsupial and as such has a handy pouch on her stomach. Of course, this pouch is much like the famous Kangaroos and is used to “incubate” their babies until they are old enough to wander around the grasslands of Australia on their own.  Typically, this marsupial will give birth to 3-7 babies, which will be completely independent within 100 days. Depending on the climate, the female may give birth to two litters in any given year. Just imagine giving birth to 6-14 babies in a year…I bet most of you are happy you are not a Kowari.