The red-cheeked dunnart (Sminthopsis virginiae) is so called because of the distinctive red hair on its cheek. It is an Australasian marsupial. Its total length is 167 –; its average body length is 80 – with a tail of 87 –. Ear length is 12 –. Its weight varies between 18 and 75 g. Its tail is thin and pale pink.

Distribution and habitat

The red-cheeked dunnart is distributed in Australia and New Guinea. The nominate subspecies S. v. virginiae occurs in the Queensland around the North Gulf, NE coasts, Mackay to Cape York. Subspecies S. v. nitela inhabits the Kimberley's to the top of Northern Territory. Habitat includes woodlands, open rocky forests, savannah grasslands, swamps, soaks and margins of tropical forests.

Social organisation and breeding

The behaviour of the red-cheeked dunnart, like most Sminthopsis species, is not well known. They breed from October to March. Young are gestated for 15 days and weaned at 65–70 days with maturity by 4–6 months.

Diet

Its typical diet includes insects and small vertebrates. They quickly learn to avoid the poisonous cane toad.

Subspecies

There are three recognised subspecies of the red-cheeked dunnart: