The quoll is a marsupial native to Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. There are several subspecies of the quoll: the Western Quoll, also called the chudditch, the Northern Quoll, the Eastern Quoll, also called the spotted tail or the tiger quoll, and the New Guinean Quoll. Of these species, both the Eastern and the New Guinean species are on the endangered species list because of habitat destruction.

All quolls are approximately the same size. Adults can measure between 10-30 inches (25.4-76.2 cm) in length. Their coats are brown or black spotted with white. The spotted tail quoll is aptly named since it is the only species of quoll with spots on its tail. The quoll is sometimes named the “jungle cat,” though it really more resembles a possum or coati, than it does a member of the cat family.

The quoll is carnivorous, dining primarily on mice, lizards and snakes. The New Guinean quoll is said to be able to kill and consume animals as large as itself. In Tasmania, the Eastern quoll competes with the Tasmanian devil for the same food sources. However, the quoll is much preferred to the devil, because it is a quiet hunter. Both animals are efficient scavengers, as well as hunters.

Most species of quoll live on the ground in burrows, though some may also be found in trees. Their tree-climbing activities are thought to have evolved with the landscapes in which they live. Since the quoll is quite agile, tree climbing is easily accomplished and is a way to escape predators like large eagles.

Most quolls have a life expectancy between 4-6 years. Upon reaching sexual maturity at about a year after birth, the quoll will mate once yearly, and can produce litters of up to ten babies. However, it is rare for more than six of the baby quolls, about the size of a rice grain to survive, because the mother only has 6 teats. Those quolls that make it to a teat will survive while other babies will not.

As a marsupial, the quoll will keep the tiny babies in a pouch until they are several months old. When old enough, baby quolls will venture out of the pouch. They can often be seen hitching a ride on the mother’s back as she journeys to find food.

Some keep quolls as pets, although this is only legal in a few parts of Australia. An infant quoll can be quite easily domesticated, and owners argue that they are much preferable to domestic cats, which have been responsible for the destruction of many native species. The quoll, conversely, is an excellent mouser, and can be an asset to farms because it keeps down non-native rodent species that have caused significant destruction on farms.

As cute as the quoll seems, wild quolls are quite fierce and should never be approached. They have sharp teeth that can easily deliver a powerful bite. The quoll tends to mostly shy away from humans. However, increasing human encroachment on quoll territory has brought humans and quolls together, with unfortunate results for the quoll. Many quolls are killed by automobiles, which can be extremely unfortunate if the quoll is caring for infants. Infants will die without protection from the mother. The Eastern quoll was once thought to proliferate Australia, but there are now very few of these endangered animals, as most of their habitat has been destroyed, or drivers have inadvertently killed them.

Wildlife workers and Australian environmentalists are attempting to reintroduce the Eastern quoll to Australia, and as well to protect the few that still reside there. There are quoll watch societies, and many educational materials available on this particular quoll. It is hoped that it is not too late to save this species in Australia.