mammaksi

Mammaksi is a small, nocturnal marsupial that is native to the arid and semi‑arid regions of southwestern Australia. The species belongs to the family Dasyuridae and is closely related to the common newt and the Tasmanian devil. Scientific description places Mammaksi in the genus Mammaksi, which was first formally described in 1978 by the Australian mammalogist Dr. Elaine Morrison. The valid binomial name is Mammaksi australis. Mammaksi individuals typically measure 30–35 centimetres from head to tail and weigh between 200 and 300 grams. Their fur is a mix of sandy brown and grey, providing excellent camouflage in dune and scrub habitats.

Mammaksi is primarily insectivorous, feeding on beetles, ants, and spiders, but it will also consume small reptiles and amphibians when available. The species is known for its agile locomotion and ability to climb vegetation up to two metres above ground level. Breeding occurs during the Australian spring (September to November). Females give birth to litters of 3–5 young after an eight‑week gestation period. Juveniles are carried on the mother's forelegs and are weaned by the time they are 10 weeks old.

The conservation status of Mammaksi is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, though local populations are affected by habitat fragmentation and predation by introduced species such as foxes and feral cats. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining native vegetation corridors and controlling invasive predators. The species conducts vocalizations that consist of short, high‑pitched chirps, which are thought to play a role in territorial and mating behaviours.