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Predation of a marsupial carnivore by an olive python (Liasis olivaceus) and a king brown snake (Pseudechis australis)
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Predation of a marsupial carnivore by an olive python (Liasis olivaceus) and a king brown snake (Pseudechis australis)

Meri Oakwood and Gregory L. Miles
Herpetofauna, Vol.28(1), pp.19-21
01/06/1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5962/p.418079
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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0,  Open Access
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Predation of a marsupial carnivore by an olive python (Liasis olivaceus) and a king brown snake (Pseudechis australis)View
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Abstract

Northern Quoll Dasyurid Olive python King Brown Snake Diet Causes of mortality Terrestrial ecology
Northern Quolls are a nocturnal marsupial carnivore found across northern Australia. A radio tracking study of Northern Quolls was undertaken from 1992 to 1995 at Kapalga Research Station in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. During that radio tracking study, two quolls were killed and consumed by snakes. The first incident occurred in June 1993 when a 770g adult male quoll was eaten by a 2.6 metre long Olive Python. This Python was unable to regurgitate or excrete the radio tracking transmitter and consequently was transported 200 kms to the nearest veterinary surgeon where the transmitter was surgically removed. This Python was rehabilitated and released. The second incident was in November 1993 when a 450 g adult female quoll was eaten by a 1.6 metre long King Brown Snake. Unfortunately, this King Brown Snake, while in transit to a veterinarian, asphyxiated whilst tying to regurgitate the collar.  At the time of this study, the only other known record of a snake consuming a Northern Quoll was an Amethystine Python at Cape York in QLD. This paper raised the number of snake species known to predate on Northern Quolls to three

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