The dasyurids are the carnivorous marsupials of south-western Australia — a remarkable group of small but fierce predators that punch well above their weight. From the acrobatic phascogales of the jarrah forest to the spotted Chuditch prowling the wheatbelt at night, dasyurids are some of the most exciting mammals you can encounter after dark in WA. The Numbat, while technically in its own family, is covered here as WA’s most celebrated diurnal marsupial carnivore and the state’s faunal emblem. Many of these species have declined significantly since European settlement due to predation by foxes and cats, and several are now threatened. Finding them in the wild takes patience and local knowledge — but it is very rewarding when you do.
Brush-tailed phascogale (Wambenger) — Phascogale tapoatafa
Known in Noongar as Wambenger, the Brush-tailed phascogale is a striking arboreal marsupial with a distinctive bottle-brush tail. Found in areas of jarrah forest, they have large home ranges and are genuinely difficult to find. They are fast, cryptic, and spend most of their time in the canopy. Conservation status: Least Concern nationally, though locally impacted by habitat loss and predation.
Where to find Wambenger
- Mundaring — I found one here after reading reports through a variety of sources. See the blog post for details.
- Paganoni Swamp — reported but not confirmed by me.
- Jarrah Forest — broad range across suitable jarrah habitat in the Perth Hills and south-west.
- Island Point Nature Reserve — reported location.
- Contos campground — reported location in the south-west.
Red-tailed phascogale (Kenngoor) — Phascogale calura
Known in Noongar as Kenngoor, the Red-tailed phascogale is rarer and smaller than its brush-tailed cousin. It is usually found in stands of sheoak and moves extremely fast — harder to photograph than almost anything else I’ve tried to find. They seem to strongly dislike white light; a red spotlight makes a significant difference. Conservation status: Vulnerable — a species of real conservation concern that has contracted significantly from its historical range.
Where to find Kenngoor
- Dryandra Woodland — found in the sandalwood plantation. See this Dryandra spotlighting post and this Mardo at Dryandra post. One was also seen near Gnaala Mia Campground by the sheoak on the main road — see this Dryandra & Boyagin post.
- Tutanning Nature Reserve — found in a small sheoak stand. See this Tutanning post.
Chuditch (Western Quoll) — Dasyurus geoffroii
The Chuditch is the largest dasyurid in WA — a spotted, cat-sized predator that is genuinely thrilling to encounter after dark. I found it very difficult to find my first one. Patience and the right location are essential. Conservation status: Vulnerable — once widespread across most of Australia, the Chuditch is now largely restricted to south-western WA following dramatic declines caused by foxes, cats and habitat loss.
Where to find Chuditch
- Dryandra Woodland — this is where I saw my first Chuditch. See the Dryandra spotlighting post for details. Jimmy also saw one on my second visit — Dryandra & Boyagin post.
- Perup — Jimmy has seen a few times here. A reliable area for Chuditch in the south-west.
- Boyagin Nature Reserve — I have not seen here but camera trap evidence from the Boyagin Boys confirms presence.
- Lane Poole Reserve — I have not seen but advice given around the “Chuditch” campsite area.
- Julimar Forest — reports exist but I haven’t been able to confirm. Note the road can be rough — care needed in a standard SUV.
Mardo (Yellow-footed antechinus) — Antechinus flavipes
The Mardo is a small, quick-moving marsupial that can easily be overlooked or mistaken for a mouse. They are insectivorous and surprisingly bold once they get used to your presence. Like all antechinus species, the males die after a frenzied mating season — one of the more remarkable life history strategies in Australian mammals. Conservation status: Least Concern — but still a special find in the field. I have seen them at Dryandra — see the Mardo at Dryandra post for the full encounter.
Numbat — Myrmecobius fasciatus
The Numbat is WA’s state faunal emblem and one of the most beautiful mammals in Australia. Unlike almost all other Australian marsupials they are diurnal — active during the day — which makes them uniquely accessible to wildlife watchers. They feed exclusively on termites, consuming up to 20,000 a day, and their teeth are reduced to small pegs since termites require little chewing. Conservation status: Endangered — possibly fewer than 1,000 individuals remain in the wild. Foxes and cats are the primary threat, and most surviving populations are in fenced reserves or areas with intensive fox control. See this video for more.
For a full guide to where and how to find Numbats in WA — including Boyagin, Dryandra, Perup and all other known locations — see the dedicated page:
Dasyurids FAQ
What are dasyurids?
Dasyurids are the family of carnivorous marsupials found across Australia and New Guinea. In south-western WA the family includes phascogales, the Chuditch (Western Quoll) and the Mardo (Yellow-footed antechinus). They range from mouse-sized to cat-sized and are all predators or insectivores. Most are nocturnal and secretive, making them challenging but rewarding to find in the field. The Numbat, covered on this page, is technically in its own family (Myrmecobiidae) but is grouped here as WA’s flagship diurnal marsupial carnivore.
Are there dasyurids near Perth?
Yes – the Brush-tailed phascogale (Wambenger) can be found in the Perth Hills, particularly around Mundaring in suitable jarrah forest habitat. The Perth Hills are the closest option for most Perth-based wildlife watchers. The Red-tailed phascogale and Chuditch require a longer drive to areas like Dryandra Woodland, roughly 2.5 hours south-east of Perth.
Where is the best place to see a Chuditch near Perth?
Dryandra Woodland National Park is the most reliable site I’ve found. It’s about 2.5 hours from Perth and well worth an overnight stay for spotlighting. The Where to See Wildlife in WA guide has more information on planning a Dryandra trip. Perup in the south-west is another strong option but requires more travel.
What is the most threatened dasyurid in WA?
The Numbat is Endangered with possibly fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. Among the true dasyurids, the Red-tailed phascogale (Kenngoor) is Vulnerable and has contracted significantly from its historical range. The Chuditch is also Vulnerable. Both are now largely absent from areas where foxes are not controlled.
What is the best time to see dasyurids?
After dark is best for phascogales, Chuditch and Mardo – all are nocturnal. A spotlight or headtorch is essential; a thermal camera is a significant advantage for detecting animals before they detect you. For Red-tailed phascogales specifically, use red light rather than white – they seem far more tolerant of it. The Numbat is the exception: being diurnal, mid-morning on a cool day in termite-active weather (not too hot, not too cold) is ideal.
Further Reading
- Dryandra Spotlighting — Mammal Heaven — my most productive night for dasyurids including Chuditch and Red-tailed phascogale
- Mardo at Dryandra — a dedicated post on finding Yellow-footed antechinus
- Numbat — Where to Find Them in Western Australia — full location guide for WA’s state emblem
- Looking for Wambenger — finding Brush-tailed phascogale in the Perth Hills
- Where to See Wildlife in Western Australia — full location index including all dasyurid sites
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