Threats: Habitat loss, predation by cats and foxes, car strikes
Will they visit?: Chuditch are known to visit home gardens located near large reserves.
Natural Distribution: Widespread and uncommon throughout the South West and Perth region.
Chuditch – (C)Georgina Steytler
Chuditch – (C)Ry Beaver
Chuditch – (CC)r_o_b27. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Chuditch – (CC)r_o_b27. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Hollows in large trees, hollow logs, and constructed nest boxes
Diet: Carnivorous including birds, reptiles, frogs, and mammals
Water: Chuditch will drink water during dry periods
ReWild Benefit: Predator, pest control
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Chuditch have large territories spanning a variety of habitats. A resident Chuditch will visit your garden if you retain large native trees, shrubs, fallen logs, a frog pond, and rockeries. They like to hide in hollow logs, burrows, and occasionally in tree hollows, or even bird nests!
Novel Shelter
Below is a habitat box template for a Chuditch. Ideally, install the box on a mature tree close to the main trunk or a thick horizontal limb. Ensure the box is inaccessible to resident dogs or cats. Before you build:
Nest-boxes are a long-term commitment and need maintenance and repair over time.
Chipboard is okay, but degrade after a year of use.
Hardier and untreated timber (i.e. Jarrah) will last longer and are less prone to attack by fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
Keep away from treated timber as this can emit fumes toxic to wildlife and their young.
Avoid using metal wire inside a box. A wooden ladder on the inside of the nest-box is much more suitable or grooved timber will work well.
Maintenance is critical to ensure wildlife remain safe. Last thing you want is a side panel falling off with an animal or its young still living inside.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Chuditch are high in the natural food chain around Perth. Similar to cats, a Chuditch is a keen predator and prey on many species including possums, quenda, birds (including chickens), frogs, lizards and insects. Solitary by nature, each Chuditch may claim a home territory of several hundred hectares!
Providing sources of water
Chuditch are known to visit bird baths and ponds during dry periods. A water dish within the fork of a tree will provide a safe place to drink, away from dogs or easier escape from cats.
ReWild Benefits
Ecologists have significant interest to know about Chuditch around urban areas. They have ventured into several southern suburbs (such as Wandi and Bateman) over the past decade. When present, communities can use fewer poisons to control vermin and pests. In fact, avoid using rat poisons as this can inevitably kill local Chuditch due to second-hand poisoning. There are conservation efforts in place to help protect the Chuditch from extinction. If you ever see a Chuditch in an urban area please contact the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
