Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Dasyuromorphia
- Family
- Dasyuridae
- Genus
- Sminthopsis
Habitat
This species inhabits arid and semi-arid regions of central Australia, including sandy deserts, spinifex grasslands, and rocky outcrops. It prefers areas with sparse vegetation for burrowing and shelter, avoiding densely vegetated or wetter habitats.
Diet
The lesser hairy-footed dunnart primarily eats insects such as beetles, ants, and spiders, along with other small invertebrates like centipedes. It is a nocturnal forager, using its keen senses to hunt actively at night in search of prey on the ground.
Behavior
The lesser hairy-footed dunnart is primarily nocturnal and solitary, spending the day in burrows or under rocks to avoid predators. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking its range with scent and being agile in movement to evade threats. These dunnarts are fast runners and capable climbers, often darting quickly across open ground.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend, though threats include habitat degradation from livestock grazing and predation by introduced species like cats and foxes.