White-footed Tree-rat - profile

Indicative distribution

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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: Conilurus albipes

Conservation status in NSW: Extinct

Commonwealth status: Extinct

Profile last updated: 13 Aug 2021

Description

The White-footed Tree-rat, also known as the White-footed Rabbit-rat, was an attractive squirrel-like rodent. It had a combined head and body length of 23–26 cm and a tail length of 22–24 cm. Its weight was estimated at around 200 grams. The species' most distinctive feature was its long, bushy tail, which was dark brown above and white below. Although smaller than a rabbit, the White-footed Tree-rat's colour and large, broad ears gave it a superficial resemblance to this species.

Distribution

The White-footed Tree-rat was endemic to Australia. Pleistocene and recent fossils from cave deposits indicate the species were distributed in south-eastern South Australia, southern Victoria, eastern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Although the species was widely distributed, it was not abundant in numbers. This species is presumed to be extinct, however it is not known exactly when the last populations died. The White-footed Tree-rat was reported as being common in Victoria in 1846, but its population appeared to decline rapidly and has not been recorded since approximately 1860 in this state. The last specimen near Sydney was recorded in 1845, however some sightings were reported in 1857 and perhaps as late as the 1930s.

Habitat and ecology

The White-footed Tree-rat was known to inhabit open forest woodlands and grassy ecosystems in Victoria. Habitat information is not known for other states in which the species occurred.
The species was nocturnal had been observed sleeping in the hollow limbs of prostrate trees, or in hollow branches of large Eucalypts near the ground.
There is very little information on the life cycle of the White-footed Tree-rat. One report recorded a female with several young in a hollow log, which they had stuffed, to a depth of about 60 cm, with nesting material made of leaves and possibly grass. The mother carried her young attached to her teats.

Threats

One report collected in 1985 from Deniliquin, New South Wales, suggests that the mass removal of fallen timber in the area to provide heating for the RAAF base during World War II may have contributed to the decline of the White-footed Tree-rat.
Other possible causes for extinction of this species were habitat disruption by introduced livestock and rabbits, and predation by cats. Predation by other introduced carnivores, particularly the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is likely to have contributed to the decline of this species.

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

The species is presumed extinct. No conservation management actions are currently planned for NSW

Information sources

Dixon, J.M. (2008) White-footed Rabbit-rat Conilurus albipes (Lichtenstein, 1829). Pp. 578-9 in Van Dyck, S. and Strahan, R. (eds.) The Mammals of Australia. Third Edition. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Menkhorst, P.W, (2012) Zoology: an encounter with the fauna of Australia's unique arid environment - Mammals. Pp. 138-147 in Joyce, E.B. and McCann, D.A. (eds.) Burke & Wills. The Scientific Legacy of the Victorian Exploring Expedition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Other State

QLD

Known

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Nature conservation

Threatened species