Cinnamon antechinus
The cinnamon antechinus, also known as the Iron Ranges antechinus and the Cape York antechinus, is a species of small carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. It is the only mammal endemic to Cape York Peninsula, being confined to semideciduous forest around the McIlraith and Iron Ranges. Along with the Atherton antechinus, it is the rarest in its genus.
Taxonomy
The cinnamon antechinus was not scientifically described until 1980. It had previously been confused with both the yellow-footed antechinus and the Atherton antechinus. A member of the dasyurid family, the species name of the cinnamon antechinus, leo, refers to the lion-like cinnamon colour of its fur.Description
The cinnamon antechinus is one of the largest of the antechinuses, and is more rufous than its relatives. It is nocturnal and arboreal, and feeds on various invertebrates. Like all antechinuses, the males die following the breeding season.The cinnamon antechinus, as its name implies, has mostly cinnamon-coloured fur, although it does have a darker mid-head stripe. Its mating season is in September.