Planigale


The genus Planigale are small carnivorous marsupials found in Australia and New Guinea. It is the only genus in the tribe Planigalini of the subfamily Sminthopsinae. There are five species:
Planigales are the smallest of all marsupials, some members of this carnivorous group weighing less than 5 grams. Being small, nocturnal and secretive, they are rarely seen; however, they are generally common in many parts of the arid interior of Western Australia. Their small size and puzzling nature make them difficult to tell apart, but with recent work being undertaken at the on the Planigales collections it has been possible to recognise two species new to science. Though yet to be formally described and published, these species are easiest to tell apart externally by the shape of their footpads. Consequently, the museum has taken a series of footpad photos to aid in identification of the species constituting this genus.