What does quoll mean?
A quoll is a mainly carnivorous marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea. The best-known living species are the spotted-tailed quoll, eastern quoll, northern quoll, and western quoll. Quolls are generally nocturnal, with pointed snouts, small ears, and long tails that are often spotted or banded. They hunt insects, small vertebrates, and other animals, although their diet varies by species and habitat. The eastern quoll is especially associated with Tasmania, while the other living species occur on mainland Australia, with the northern quoll also found in parts of New Guinea. Quolls have declined substantially in many areas because of introduced predators, habitat alteration, and other pressures. In Australian English, the word can function both as a general category and as part of a species name, making it a familiar term for wildlife enthusiasts while remaining relatively uncommon in general international usage.
nounAny of several mainly carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus, native to Australia and New Guinea. Quolls are generally nocturnal and are characterized by a pointed muzzle, small ears, and a long tapering tail.
- A mainly carnivorous marsupial belonging to the genus Dasyurus, found in Australia and New Guinea.
"A spotted-tailed quoll was spotted moving through the campsite after dark."
"Researchers set cameras along the forest edge to determine whether any quolls still lived in the region."
"The eastern quoll is particularly associated with Tasmania, although populations have also been reintroduced to parts of mainland Australia."
The standard plural adds -s; the singular and plural are pronounced identically.
"Several quolls emerged from the shelter after the researchers withdrew."
Four living quoll species are recognized, but their Australian range and numbers have been reduced by introduced predators such as foxes and cats.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quoll come from?
The English word entered use in the early nineteenth century for an Australian marsupial previously unfamiliar to European naturalists. It was borrowed from an Indigenous Australian language, but the precise source language and the development of its modern form are not established with enough certainty to state more specifically. The name is not derived from a European word.
How quoll is actually used
The term is chiefly used for species in the genus Dasyurus and is especially common in Australian English. It should not be used as a general name for every dasyurid marsupial.