Home › Mammalia › Muridae › Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor)
SPECIES PROFILE
Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor)
Leporillus
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
South Australia and Western Australia, in reintroduced populations
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Arid and semi-arid woodlands, rocky outcrops
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Muridae
GENUS
Leporillus
📋 Description
SIZE
16-20 cm long (body), plus a 12-15 cm tail; weighs 0.3-0.5 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown fur, with a pale underbelly and bushy tail
ADAPTATIONS
Strong claws for building nests, agile for climbing
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Arid and semi-arid woodlands, rocky outcrops
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
South Australia and Western Australia, in reintroduced populations
REPRODUCTION
Breeds year-round, producing 1-3 litters annually with 2-4 pups each, gestation 30-35 days
DIET DETAILS
Feeds on leaves, bark, seeds, and fruits
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, predation by foxes and cats, competition with rabbits
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Communal Builders: Greater stick-nest rats weave 1-meter stick nests on Franklin Island, housing families and shielding 1,000 rats from predators. These nests, reused for generations, stabilize their population, though foxes threaten reintroduction efforts.
2
Island Rebounders: Reintroduced to Salvation Jane Island, they consume 100 grams of leaves daily, their climbing aiding survival in Yookamurra’s outcrops. Indigenous-guided surveys protect their nests, reviving a species nearly extinct from mainland Australia.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Franklin Island in South Australia has protected reintroduced populations for stick-nest rat sightings
Salvation Jane Island in South Australia is a reintroduction site for stick-nest rat sightings
Yookamurra Sanctuary in South Australia has a fenced reserve for stick-nest rat sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Search shrubby areas at night with guides to spot rats building nests.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
April-October. Dry season improves visibility in scrublands for nest-building.
