eastern native cat

The term "native cat" refers to catlike Australian marsupials belonging to the genus Dasyurus within the family Dasyuridae. These marsupials are nocturnal predators.1

The eastern native cat (Dasyurus viverrinus, or D. quoll) is found primarily in Tasmania and is characterized by its bushy tail and white-spotted upperparts. Other species include the western native cat (D. geoffroii), the smaller northern native cat (D. hallucatus), and the New Guinea native cat (D. albopunctatus). The largest is the spotted-tailed native cat (D. maculatus), also known as the tiger cat, inhabiting moist forests in Tasmania and eastern Australia.1

Native cats have faced persecution and decline due to habitat destruction and the introduction of placental mammals like domestic cats, dogs, and foxes, which compete for food or prey on them.1