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The northern quoll is under threat from a number of sources.

All Quoll species are threatened by loss of habitat, viruses, predation by dogs, cats and foxes, and competition from introduced species. One of the major threats to Northern Quolls is that their population is declining as a result of them eating the Cane Toad, which is poisonous when ingested.

In some areas, because quolls have been known to kill poultry, farmers have deliberately baited the marsupials. This is an illegal practice, but it still happens. Further, quolls are known to ingest the 1080 poison put down to control populations of feral cats, foxes and rabbits.

The Northern quoll is also particularly affected by fire, due largely to the introduction of the weed Gamba Grass. Gamba Grass is highly invasive, out-competing native grasses. It affects the Northern quoll because it is a high biomass pasture grass that tends to promote very hot, intense fires during the late dry season. Gamba Grass fires are eight times hotter and more intense than those produced by native grasses. This poses a risk to the Northern Quoll by either killing them directly in the fires, or removing the availability of shelter and habitat to protect the quoll from predators.

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11y ago

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