Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 21, 2026

Woolley's false antechinus

Woolley's false antechinus, also known as Woolley's pseudantechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial belonging to the family Dasyuridae. It is found in the Australian state of Western Australia, primarily in the Pilbara, Ashburton and Murchison regions.

Last revised
Jul 21, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
334 w
Citations
8
Source
Woolley's false antechinus1
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Dasyuromorphia
Family: Dasyuridae
Genus: Pseudantechinus
Species:
P. woolleyae
Binomial name
Pseudantechinus woolleyae
Kitchener & Caputi, 1988
Woolley's false antechinus range

Woolley's false antechinus (Pseudantechinus woolleyae), also known as Woolley's pseudantechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial belonging to the family Dasyuridae. It is found in the Australian state of Western Australia, primarily in the Pilbara, Ashburton and Murchison regions.3

Taxonomy

Woolley's false antechinus was, like most false antechinuses, long believed to be a form of the fat-tailed false antechinus, which it closely resembles. It was not given full species status until 1988. The common and species names honour Dr Patricia Woolley, an Australian expert on these dasyurid marsupials.4

Description

A false antechinus poking its head out from under a rock formation
In Kalbarri, Western Australia source ↗

Woolley's false antechinus is the largest false antechinus and its behaviour is little known. It has a breeding life of two or more years, unlike many of its relatives which live for a short time.3 Births occur in September–October and the young are sexually mature at 10 months.3

Woolley's false antechinus is coloured rich brown above and buff below. It has a flattened tail and chestnut patches behind its ears.4

Habitat

Woolley's false antechinus inhabits rocky hillsides, usually vegetated with acacia scrub or spinifex grass. It is found in the western area of Western Australia.3

References

References

  1. Groves, C. P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 28. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. Burbidge, A.; Cooper, N.; Woolley, P.; Morris, K. (2016). "Pseudantechinus woolleyae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T40539A21945425. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40539A21945425.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. Menkhorst, Peter (2001). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-19-550870-X.
  4. Woolley, P.A. (1995). "Woolley's False Antechinus". In Strahan, Ronald (ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books. pp. 80–81.
External links