Little Red Kaluta
Encyclopedia
The Little Red Kaluta also known as the Little Red Antechinus, Russet Antechinus, Spinifex Antechinus or simply Kaluta, is a carnivorous nocturnal marsupial
. It lives in the dry areas of Western Australia
. Individuals are 9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 in) long and weigh 20-40 grams (0.7-1.4 oz). They live for about three years in captivity
.
. When it was first described by W.D.L. Ride in 1964, the species was placed in the genus Antechinus
. However, in 1982 Mike Archer assigned it to its own genus. It has since been shown to be most closely related to the Dibbler
(Parantechinus apicalis).
"Kaluta" is an Aboriginal
name for this species, and this is reflected in the generic name Dasykaluta, which means "hairy kaluta". The species name, rosamondae, is a reference to Rosamund Clifford
, the famous mistress of Henry II of England
, who is said to have had red hair.
es, although it has a shorter head and ears. It is also somewhat smaller than these animals.
The Little Red Kaluta feeds on insects and small vertebrates. A notable habit is flicking its tail in the air as it investigates its habitat.
Male Little Red Kalutas, like several other dasyurid species, die shortly after the September breeding season, probably due to stress. The young are born after a pregnancy of around seven weeks, and are weaned when around four months old.
and Little Sandy Desert
in Western Australia
, where it is moderately common. It occupies spinifex
grassland.
Marsupial
Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young. Close to 70% of the 334 extant species occur in Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands, with the remaining 100 found in the Americas, primarily in South America, but with thirteen in Central...
. It lives in the dry areas of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Individuals are 9-11 cm (3.5-4.3 in) long and weigh 20-40 grams (0.7-1.4 oz). They live for about three years in captivity
Captivity (animal)
Animals that live under human care are in captivity. Captivity can be used as a generalizing term to describe the keeping of either domesticated animals or wild animals. This may include for example farms, private homes and zoos...
.
Taxonomy
The Little Red Kaluta is a member of the family DasyuridaeDasyuridae
Dasyuridae is a family of marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea, including 61 species divided into 15 genera. Many are small and mouse-like, giving them the misnomer marsupial mice, but the group also includes the cat-sized quolls, as well as the Tasmanian Devil...
. When it was first described by W.D.L. Ride in 1964, the species was placed in the genus Antechinus
Antechinus
Antechinus is a genus of dasyurid marsupial that is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species have been described in New Guinea...
. However, in 1982 Mike Archer assigned it to its own genus. It has since been shown to be most closely related to the Dibbler
Dibbler
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 Dasyuromorphia order, and the only member of the genus, Parantechinus...
(Parantechinus apicalis).
"Kaluta" is an Aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
name for this species, and this is reflected in the generic name Dasykaluta, which means "hairy kaluta". The species name, rosamondae, is a reference to Rosamund Clifford
Rosamund Clifford
Rosamund Clifford , often called "The Fair Rosamund" or the "Rose of the World", was famed for her beauty and was a mistress of King Henry II of England, famous in English folklore....
, the famous mistress of Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
, who is said to have had red hair.
Description
The Little Red Kaluta is a rufous brown colour with fairly coarse fur. In body shape, it is generally similar to the antechinusAntechinus
Antechinus is a genus of dasyurid marsupial that is indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. The majority of Antechinus species occur in Australia and only two species have been described in New Guinea...
es, although it has a shorter head and ears. It is also somewhat smaller than these animals.
The Little Red Kaluta feeds on insects and small vertebrates. A notable habit is flicking its tail in the air as it investigates its habitat.
Male Little Red Kalutas, like several other dasyurid species, die shortly after the September breeding season, probably due to stress. The young are born after a pregnancy of around seven weeks, and are weaned when around four months old.
Habitat
The Little Red Kaluta is found in the PilbaraPilbara region of Western Australia
The Pilbara is a large, dry, thinly populated region in the north of Western Australia known for its vast mineral deposits, in particular iron ore...
and Little Sandy Desert
Little Sandy Desert
The Little Sandy Desert is a desert located in Western Australia south of the Great Sandy Desert and west of the Gibson Desert. It is to the east of Great Northern Highway south of Newman and approximately 200 kilometres north of Wiluna...
in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, where it is moderately common. It occupies spinifex
Triodia (plant genus)
Triodia is a large genus of hummock-forming grass endemic to Australia; they are commonly known as spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex. There are currently 64 recognised species...
grassland.