Dusky Hopping-mouse
Notomys fuscus
The dusky hopping mouse, is a small rodent endemic to Australia, inhabiting desert regions characterised by sand dunes. Populations have experienced significant declines since the arrival of Europeans, and continue to be subject to threatening processes.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Chris Rehberg | Sydney Birding, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chris Rehberg | Sydney Birding
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Muridae
Genus
Notomys
Dusky Hopping-mouse belongs to the family Muridae, order Rodentia, within the Mammalia class.
Species Profile
The dusky hopping mouse, is a small rodent endemic to Australia, inhabiting desert regions characterised by sand dunes. Populations have experienced significant declines since the arrival of Europeans, and continue to be subject to threatening processes. It is currently listed as a threatened species.
The Dusky Hopping-mouse faces significant threats from habitat degradation and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion, overgrazing by livestock, and altered fire regimes across its range. Competition with introduced species and predation by feral cats and foxes have further reduced population viability, while climate change and drought conditions threaten the arid and semi-arid ecosystems this species depends upon.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits arid and semi-arid shrublands, grasslands, and open woodlands with sandy or clay soils, particularly areas with sparse vegetation cover and scattered shrubs. Prefers habitats with suitable soil conditions for burrow construction, including mallee scrublands, chenopod shrublands, and open areas adjacent to ephemeral wetlands.
Threats
Habitat degradation from agriculture and grazing
Predation by introduced cats and foxes
Altered fire regimes
Climate change and increased drought frequency
Competition with introduced rodents
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU | VUVulnerable | VUVulnerable | Same |
| AU | VUVulnerable | VUVulnerable | Same |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dusky Hopping-mouse (Notomys fuscus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dusky-hopping-mouse