the gibber plain, and hunt nocturnally between the sand mounds and on the gibber plain. During the day, they generally remain inside their burrows, but may emerge to bask at its entrance. Diet The kowari is an opportunistic and voracious hunter, with its regular diet including the Long-haired Rat (Rattus villosissimus), House Mouse (Mus musculus), geckoes, insects and other arthropods, including centipedes. Most animals of equal or smaller size to the kowari may be considered prey if the opportunity arises, including birds. Kowaris kill with strong bites to the head, although they do not always strike the optimal location. Reproduction Kowaris reach sexual maturity at 10-11 months old, and will commence breeding in their first year of life. Breeding occurs in May-December, with each female producing up to six pouch young. They have a gestation period of 35 days, after which the young are firmly attached to the teat for ~56 days. Other development milestones include eyes opening at 74 days, play-fighting beginning at 86 days and switching to solid food at ~95 days. Once weaned, the young will live independently. Wild kowari lifespans average little more than a year, although some have been known to live and breed for two years in the wild, or longer in captivity. Conservation The kowari is listed as a Vulnerable species under both the Australian Federal EPBC Act and IUCN Red List, as well as Vulnerable in Queensland, Endangered in South Australia, and Extinct in the Northern Territory. Much of its remaining range is currently run as pastoral land for the production of beef. In Queensland, it is protected in both the Astrebla Downs and Diamantina National Parks, although it has not been seen in Diamantina National Park since 2012. In South Australia, none of its current range falls under conservation tenement, though a predator free reserve of 12,000 hectares has been set up near Andamooka Station where 12 kowaris were transferred to from around the Birdsville Track in 2022. Threats The kowari's primary threat is habitat degradation, particularly by livestock, but also rabbits. Other threats include being preyed upon by (and being in competition for prey with) feral cats, foxes, and dingoes, as well as climate change, possible poisoning by insecticides and baits, and the loss of habitat for road construction material. Overstocked cattle are known to degrade the sand mounds which kowaris burrow in for shelter, and by eating the sparse