spotted-tailed native cat

marsupial

Also known as: Dasyurus maculatus, tiger cat

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The spotted-tailed native cat, also known as the tiger cat, is the largest species within the Dasyurus genus of Australian marsupials. These catlike marsupials are predators that primarily hunt at night. The spotted-tailed native cat can grow to be between 75 to 130 cm long, with a tail length of 35 to 55 cm. This species is found in the dense, moist forests of Tasmania and eastern Australia. Native cats, in general, have been persecuted and are extinct in some areas due to raiding poultry yards, habitat destruction, and the introduction of placental mammals like domestic cats, dogs, and foxes.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

7 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

native cat
The largest species, the spotted-tailed native cat (D. maculatus, also called the tiger cat), has a length of 75 to 130 cm, including its 35- to 55-cm tail. This species occurs in the dense, moist forests of Tasmania and eastern Australia.
Read More
The largest species, the spotted-tailed native cat (D. maculatus, also called the tiger cat), has a length of 75 to 130 cm, including its 35- to 55-cm tail. This species occurs in the dense, moist forests of Tasmania and eastern Australia.
Read More