Nature conservation

Threatened species

New Holland Mouse - profile

Indicative distribution


   Loading map...
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: Pseudomys novaehollandiae
Conservation status in NSW: Not listed
Commonwealth status: Vulnerable
Profile last updated: 20 Dec 2023

Description

The New Holland Mouse is a small native rodent similar in size and appearance to the introduced House Mouse. It can be distinguished from the House Mouse by its dusky-brown tail which is longer than the rest of the body and darker on the dorsal surface, the absence of a notch on the upper incisors, and the absence of a distinctive ‘mousy’ odour.

Distribution

The New Holland Mouse has a fragmented distribution across Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Genetic evidence indicates that the New Holland Mouse once formed a single continuous population on mainland Australia and the distribution of recent subfossils further suggest that the species has undergone a large range contraction since European settlement. Total population size of mature individuals is now estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals although, given the number of sites from which the species is known to have disappeared between 1999 and 2009, it is likely that the species’ distribution is actually smaller than current estimates.

Habitat and ecology

  • Known to inhabit open heathlands, woodlands and forests with a heathland understorey and vegetated sand dunes
  • It is a social animal, living predominantly in burrows shared with other individuals
  • Distribution is patchy in time and space, with peaks in abundance during early to mid stages of vegetation succession typically induced by fire

Regional distribution and habitat

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


Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
New England TablelandsArmidale Plateau Known East of Hillgrove
New England TablelandsBeardy River Hills Predicted None
New England TablelandsBinghi Plateau Known None
New England TablelandsNightcap Known None
New England TablelandsNortheast Forest Lands Known None
New England TablelandsStanthorpe Plateau Known None
New England TablelandsWalcha Plateau Known East of Apsley Falls
New England TablelandsWongwibinda Plateau Predicted None
NSW North CoastBarrington Known None
NSW North CoastCarrai Plateau Known None
NSW North CoastCataract Known None
NSW North CoastChaelundi Known None
NSW North CoastCoffs Coast and Escarpment Known None
NSW North CoastDalmorton Known None
NSW North CoastGuy Fawkes Predicted None
NSW North CoastKaruah Manning Known None
NSW North CoastMacleay Gorges Known None
NSW North CoastMacleay Hastings Known None
NSW North CoastMummel Escarpment Known None
NSW North CoastRocky River Gorge Predicted None
NSW North CoastTomalla Known None
NSW North CoastUpper Hunter Known None
NSW North CoastUpper Manning Predicted None
NSW North CoastWashpool Predicted None
NSW North CoastYuraygir Known None
NSW South Western SlopesCapertee Valley Predicted None
NSW South Western SlopesInland Slopes Known North of Canowindra, West of Cumnock
OceanHawkesbury Shelf Known None
Other StateQLD Known None
South Eastern HighlandsCapertee Uplands Predicted None
South Eastern HighlandsKanangra Known None
South Eastern QueenslandBurringbar-Conondale Ranges Known None
South Eastern QueenslandClarence Lowlands Known None
South Eastern QueenslandClarence Sandstones Known None
South Eastern QueenslandScenic Rim Known None
South Eastern QueenslandSunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands Predicted None
South Eastern QueenslandWoodenbong Predicted None
Sydney BasinBurragorang Predicted None
Sydney BasinCumberland Known None
Sydney BasinEttrema Predicted None
Sydney BasinHunter Known None
Sydney BasinIllawarra Predicted North of Coledale
Sydney BasinJervis Known North of Lake Conjola
Sydney BasinKerrabee Known None
Sydney BasinMoss Vale Known None
Sydney BasinPittwater Known None
Sydney BasinSydney Cataract Known None
Sydney BasinWollemi Known None
Sydney BasinWyong Known None
Sydney BasinYengo Known None