Common Planigale - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Planigale maculata

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 08 Feb 2022

Description

Common Planigales are tiny marsupials with a body length of about 8 cm and a tail as long again. They differ from the common house mouse in having a long, pointed snout with sharp teeth and large rounded ears. The head has a flattened appearance. Their fur is grey-brown above, sometimes with tiny white spots, and paler below.

Distribution

Coastal north-eastern NSW, coastal east Queensland and Arnhem Land. The species reaches its confirmed southern distribution limit on the NSW lower north coast however there are reports of its occurrence as far south as the central NSW coast west of Sydney.

Habitat and ecology

Common Planigales inhabit rainforest, eucalypt forest, heathland, marshland, grassland and rocky areas where there is surface cover, and usually close to water.
They are active at night and during the day shelter in saucer-shaped nests built in crevices, hollow logs, beneath bark or under rocks.
They are fierce carnivorous hunters and agile climbers, preying on insects and small vertebrates, some nearly their own size.
They breed from October to January.
The female builds a nest lined with grass, eucalypt leaves or shredded bark.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Predation by foxes.
Predation by cats
Predation and poisoning by cane toads
Loss of habitat from a variety of land uses resulting in species fragmentation and habitat degradation. Includes changes to riparian areas and hydrology from residential and associated infrastructure development, and loss of ground cover vegetation and woody debris from too frequent fire and clearing.
Frequent burning that reduces ground cover such as hollow logs and bark.
Over grazing that reduces ground cover
Disturbance of vegetation surrounding water bodies.
Predation by domestic cats
The species is often misidentified and requires further survey work to identify distribution and abundance

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control foxes, feral cats and cane toads.
Reduce the impact of burning to retain diverse understorey species and cover, such as hollow logs and bark.
Maintain adequate ground cover, especially near water.
Control cattle access to reduce grazing and trampling of waterside vegetation.
Protect areas of habitat from clearing and development.

Information sources

Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Uni Press, Melbourne.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Range	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Comboyne Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Predicted	None

Nature conservation

Threatened species