dasyurid

Dasyurids are a family of carnivorous marsupials native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. The group includes several dozen species across multiple genera, from tiny planigales and dunnarts to larger quolls and the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). They belong to the order Dasyuromorphia and are among the earliest carnivorous marsupials.

Dasyurids occupy a wide range of habitats, including deserts, woodlands, forests, and coastal scrub. Most are nocturnal and solitary, but behavior varies by species. They use shelter such as burrows, hollow logs, or rock crevices.

Diet is primarily carnivorous or insectivorous, with small vertebrates, invertebrates, and carrion forming the core of most species' meals. Some are opportunistic omnivores. Through predation and scavenging, dasyurids influence the populations of prey species and the cycling of nutrients.

Reproduction follows typical marsupial patterns: females bear underdeveloped young that finish development in the pouch or teat region. Breeding seasons vary; litters are usually small and the young remain with the mother for weeks or months.

Conservation status varies. The Tasmanian devil is severely threatened by the contagious facial tumor disease, while other dasyurids face habitat loss, predation by cats and foxes, and environmental pressures. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and disease management, alongside research into their evolution and ecology.