Parantechinus
| Dibbler | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Subclass: | Marsupialia |
| Order: | Dasyuromorphia |
| Family: | Dasyuridae |
| Tribe: | Dasyurini |
| Genus: |
Parantechinus Tate, 1947 |
| Species: | P. apicalis |
| Binomial name | |
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Parantechinus apicalis (Gray, 1842) |
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| Dibbler range (blue — native, pink — reintroduced) |
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Dibbler is the common name for Parantechinus apicalis, an endangered species of marsupial. It is an inhabitant of the southwest mainland of Western Australia and some offshore islands. It is a member of the order Dasyuromorphia, and the only member of the genus, Parantechinus. The dibbler is a small, nocturnal carnivore with speckled fur that is white around the eyes.
The dibbler is 10–16 cm long with a 7.5-12.0 cm tail; it weighs 40-125g. The distinctive features of this dasyurid include a white eye-ring, gray-brown fur flecked with white hairs, and a short tapering tail. It has strong jaws and large canine teeth for killing prey, which include small vertebrates such as mice, birds and lizards, as well as insects and other invertebrates. The breeding season for the species is March–April.
The dibbler is found in southwestern Western Australia, It is also found on Boullanger Island and Whitlock Island and Escape Island off Jurien Bay., some national parks/reserves, including Fitzgerald River National Park, Peniup Creek Reserve (where it was re-introduced) and at the Stirling Range National Park (where it was re-introduced). Dibblers weigh about 40–100 grams (1.4–3.6 oz) and eat insects, small reptiles, and nectar. The dibbler is a solitary, mostly nocturnal species.
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Wikipedia