Shark Bay Mouse

A large species of Pseudomys, an Australian genus of rodents, with long and shaggy fur. The coloration of the upper parts of djoongari is a pale yellowish fawn interspersed with darker brown guard hairs. The size of the head and body combined ranges from 90 to 115 mm (3.5 to 4.5 in), the tail is a slightly greater length of 115 to 125 mm (4.5 to 4.9 in). Djoongari have an average mass of 45 g (1.6 oz), and may range from 30 to 50 g (1.1 to 1.8 oz). The greyish ears are 19 mm (0.75 in) from the notch to tip. The underside of the pelage is whitish, becoming a buff colour as it grades into the upper parts, the feet are also whitish. The hind foot is 26 to 27 mm (1.0 to 1.1 in) long. The upper surface of the tail is greyish, and distinctly contrasts the lighter coloured lower surface. The tail ends with a tuft of dark fur. Pseudomys gouldii possess two pairs of inguinal teats.

It was once found throughout the entire Australian continent, from Western Australia eastwards to New South Wales. but suffered greatly after the arrival of Europeans and feral animals, and eventually its range became reduced to coastal sand dunes on Bernier Island, leaving it severely endangered. In 2003 the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) released some Shark Bay mice onto Faure Island in the hope of creating another population. Despite the presence of owls the reintroduction was successful and the population quickly grew to a larger size than that of Bernier Island, no longer leaving the species on the brink of extinction. The species was reintroduced to Dirk Hartog Island in April 2021, with specimens gathered from another reintroduced population on Western Australia's North West Island. Fossil evidence expanded the known range of Pseudomys praeconis from the Shark Bay area to areas along the western coast of Australia (Archer and Baynes 1973 and Baynes 1982 cited in Baynes 1990, p. 317), and further inland into the arid zones (Baynes 1984 cited in Baynes 1990, p. 318). It was realised, as the range was further extended by fossil remains, the remains of Pseudomys fieldi represented the easterly bound of the one species (Baynes 1990, 318).

Pseudomys gouldii is slightly smaller than a black rat, and quite social, living in small family groups of 4–8 that shelter by day in a nest of soft, dry grass in a burrow. It usually digs burrows at a depth of 15 centimetres (5.9 in) under bushes.