The dingo is helping the endangered dusky hopping mice by keeping feral cat population down

THE endangered dusky hopping mice has an unlikely ally in the outback dingo, which is helping to keep feral cat populations down, new research has found.

New research shows an endangered dusky hopping mouse, found in outback SA, is safer in an environment where dingos are present because dingos suppress the activity of feral cats. Pic: Ben Moore

THE endangered dusky hopping mice has an unlikely ally in the outback dingo, which is helping to keep feral cat populations down, new research has found.

University of New South Wales scientists discovered the Australian native rodent was “happiest” living around dingoes, because more dingoes meant fewer feral cats.

The mice, studied on outback South Australian and Queensland properties, were also found to be less timid when foraging in areas were dingoes were common.

University of New South Wales’ School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Mike Letnic, who conducted the study, said the dingo was “an uncomfortable ally”.

“It’s the idea that the enemy is my friend for the dusky hopping mouse and the dingo,” he said.

“Dingoes do eat hopping mice too, they’re just not as good as it as feral cats.

“The dusky hopping mouse’s biggest enemies are cats and foxes … but it was surprising to see they do quite well in the areas were dingoes are common.”

He said the study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, also revealed apex predators could “alleviate the risk of predation perceived by a small prey species”.

“We looked at the dusky hopping mouse’s behaviour and it was less fearful in areas where there were dingoes,” Prof Letnic said.

“We measured that by how readily they consumed food and they were much happier to eat food in potentially dangerous habitats where there were dingoes and less cats.”

The dusky hopping mouse is a nocturnal rodent specialised for the deep desert, characterised by its long, narrow hind feet and long tail with a dark brush on the end.

The native is classified as vulnerable, now only found in a small number of locations in the Strzelecki Desert and nearby regions in the South Australia-Queensland border area.

Prof Letnic said Australia needed to protect its native species.

“We need to create environments for the dusky hopping mice where there aren’t foxes and cats,” he said.

“The ecosystems are really complex … but we can’t afford to lose anymore of them from outback Australia.

“Large predators are uncomfortable to lives with for us as people, but they are vital parts of a healthy ecosystem, which is why we need to learn to live with them side by side.

“Just like the great white shark, the dingo has positives for the environment, we just need to learn how to balance that.”

The State Government’s Natural Resources South Australia does have recovery strategies in place for the dusky hopping mouse, including protecting native vegetation and population research.