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Fawn Hopping Mouse (Notomys cervinus)

The fawn hopping mouse is a small, nocturnal native rodent of gibber plains, low chenopod country and adjacent claypans in South Australia and south east Queensland. It shelters in deep burrow systems and may occur in small groups, so clearing, earthworks and vehicle access across gibber plains can remove occupied habitat and collapse burrows.

Conservation status

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Breeding in hopping mice is linked to wet conditions and may not follow the same months each year. The calendar below is therefore a precautionary field-planning guide, not a fixed breeding timetable for every site.

Month values are precautionary because the supplied documents do not provide a species-specific annual breeding calendar. Values are January to December, where 0 means not typical, 1 means possible or occurs, and 2 means peak.

  • Breeding: Breeding and pup production are reported during wet periods, but no fixed months are given. Rainfall and local vegetation response should guide timing assessments.
  • Young: Dependent young may be present after breeding following favourable rainfall. The duration of dependence is not reported.
  • Movement and dispersal: No seasonal migration is reported. No species-specific dispersal period or movement distance is provided. Local movement occurs between burrows, gibber plain and adjacent claypan habitat.
  • Dry period detection risk: The species may occur at very low density for extended periods during dry conditions, reducing detectability. A negative survey during dry conditions should be interpreted cautiously.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk can occur in any month because wet periods and breeding are not tied to fixed calendar dates. Increase precautions after substantial rainfall, when pups may be present and burrow activity may increase.

Identification

The fawn hopping mouse is a small, pale desert rodent with large hind feet and a long tufted tail. It is most often detected from tracks and burrows rather than direct sightings.

Adults have pale fawn to grey or reddish upperparts and a white underside. The head and body is about 12 cm long, the tail is about 15 cm long, and body weight is about 30 to 50 g.

The species is nocturnal. When moving quickly it hops or gallops on its long hind legs, trailing the tail behind it. The tail is bi-coloured and has a tuft at the tip.

Head and body: About 12 cm

Tail: About 15 cm

Weight: 30 to 50 g

Identification: Distinguishing features

A small hairless, pigmented chest patch occurs in all males and in some females, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. A well-developed throat pouch is not expected as a general feature of this species.

The fawn hopping mouse can be confused with the dusky and spinifex hopping mice. The dusky hopping mouse has a prominent throat pouch in both sexes, with a fleshy lip covered by stiff white hairs. The spinifex hopping mouse is generally smaller and greyer, and is more strongly associated with spinifex covered sandflats and stabilised sandhills.

Habitat should not be used as the only identification feature. Confirm records using the animal's morphology, clear photographs, tracks or capture records where possible.

Identification: Field signs

Tracks are typically left as paired impressions from the large hind feet because the animal hops with both back feet together. A ridge may be visible across the middle of each hind-foot impression in suitable substrate.

Burrow systems have multiple pop-hole entrances leading to chambers and tunnels. Repeated travel can form runways. The tail may leave a mark in the track, particularly when the animal moves more slowly.

No species-specific information was provided for scats, calls or eyeshine. Surveyors should record burrow entrances, runways, paired tracks, tail marks and any direct observations, and should not assign species from tracks alone where dusky or spinifex hopping mice may occur.

  • Inspect hard gibber surfaces, claypan margins and nearby softer soil for paired hind-foot tracks.
  • Map all burrow entrances and runways before machinery enters the site.
  • Use early morning conditions for track surveys, avoiding strong wind and surveying immediately after rain where tracks may be obscured.

Distribution: Australian range

The fawn hopping mouse occurs in the Channel Country of south east Queensland and on gibber plains north east of Lake Eyre in South Australia. The supplied sources do not provide a current population estimate or a detailed list of named subpopulations.

In Queensland, the species is reported from the Channel Country in the south east of the state. In South Australia, it occurs on gibber plains north east of Lake Eyre and in the northern South Australian Arid Lands region.

The available information places the species in the Lake Eyre and Channel Country gibber plain systems. The sources do not provide a more precise list of IBRA bioregions, property level strongholds or confirmed sites.

Queensland: Channel Country in south east Queensland

South Australia: Gibber plains north east of Lake Eyre and adjoining northern arid areas

States documented: South Australia and Queensland

Distribution: Population information

The species was formerly more widespread, but the supplied documents do not quantify its current population, density, generation length or rate of decline.

Populations of fawn and dusky hopping mice can fluctuate greatly with seasonal conditions. The fawn hopping mouse appears to have experienced less marked range reduction than the dusky hopping mouse, possibly because gibber plains are less affected by rabbit competition and fox hunting than softer sandy habitats.

Population estimate: Not reported in the supplied documents

Population trend: Not quantified; abundance can fluctuate with seasonal conditions

Known strongholds: No named strongholds or subpopulation estimates are provided

Habitat: Habitat types

Fawn hopping mice are associated with hard gibber plain habitat rather than the soft sand dune systems preferred by dusky hopping mice. They use areas with sparse low vegetation and may move onto nearby claypans.

The usual habitat is open gibber plain with low chenopods, including saltbush type vegetation, and ephemeral plants. Adjacent claypans may also be used.

The species occurs in arid country where seasonal rainfall affects vegetation growth and population abundance. The supplied documents do not give a defined elevation range or upper temperature limit.

Primary landform: Gibber plains and hard stony flats

Associated habitats: Low chenopod and ephemeral plant communities, with adjacent claypans

Elevation and climate limits: Not specified; distribution is in arid inland Australia

Habitat: Features to retain on project sites

Retain intact gibber surfaces, low chenopod cover, ephemeral plant patches, claypan margins and undisturbed soil suitable for burrow entrances.

Avoid treating apparently bare gibber as unused habitat. Burrows may be below ground and animals may be difficult to detect during dry periods.

  • Walk the full clearing footprint and proposed access tracks before disturbance.
  • Mark burrow complexes, runways and connected areas of low chenopod cover for avoidance or ecological advice.
  • Include temporary laydown areas, borrow areas and vehicle detours in habitat inspections.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding areas

Species-specific diet and foraging distances for the fawn hopping mouse are not provided in the supplied documents. The species uses open gibber and claypan habitats that support seasonal ephemeral plant growth.

The available sources do not identify the principal food plants, prey items, daily food intake or foraging range of the fawn hopping mouse.

Because abundance is linked to seasonal conditions and ephemeral vegetation, retain connected patches of low chenopods and ephemeral plants rather than clearing only the areas around visible burrows.

Diet: Not specified for the fawn hopping mouse in the supplied documents

Foraging range: Not specified

Relevant food habitat: Gibber plains and claypan margins with low chenopods and ephemeral plants

  • Record flowering, seeding or recently germinated ephemeral plants during habitat inspections.
  • Avoid assuming that a site is unsuitable because food is not visible during a dry period.
  • Keep vehicle movements on defined routes to reduce disturbance to foraging areas and burrow entrances.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Fawn hopping mouse breeding is associated with favourable seasonal conditions rather than a fixed calendar season in the supplied sources. The species uses underground burrow complexes for shelter and is likely to require undisturbed access to these systems when young are present.

The review reports that hopping mice can produce pups during wet periods, when food and vegetation conditions improve. It does not provide species-specific dates, gestation length, litter size, age at maturity or lifespan for the fawn hopping mouse.

For project planning, treat occupied burrow complexes as potential breeding habitat at any time after substantial rainfall, rather than applying a fixed breeding closure period.

Breeding season: Wet periods and favourable seasonal conditions; no fixed months are specified

Litter size: Not reported for the fawn hopping mouse

Gestation: Not reported for the fawn hopping mouse

Age at maturity: Not reported

Lifespan: Not reported

Breeding habitat: Undisturbed burrow complexes within gibber plain and claypan habitat

Breeding habitat: Site controls during works

A burrow complex should be treated as potentially occupied by dependent young when fresh tracks, active runways or recent disturbance around pop-holes are present. Do not collapse or fill entrances without advice from the fauna spotter catcher and project ecologist.

If clearing cannot avoid an occupied complex, stop work and apply the approved fauna management procedure. The supplied documents do not specify a species-specific relocation method.

  • Inspect burrow complexes before daily works and after heavy rain or extended wet conditions.
  • Use a qualified fauna spotter catcher for staged clearing around active burrow areas.
  • Keep machinery, spoil and temporary fencing away from pop-holes and runways.

Sheltering habitat: Burrow systems

The main refuge is an underground burrow system in gibber plain or nearby suitable soil. Burrows protect animals from daytime heat and provide chambers for small groups and young.

Fawn hopping mice live in small groups in burrow complexes with several pop-hole entrances, chambers and tunnels. Tunnels may extend to about 1 m below the surface.

Deep burrows are used as daytime refuges. Burrow entrances may occur in hard gibber plain habitat, at claypan margins or in softer patches suitable for excavation.

Burrow depth: Tunnels and chambers may extend to about 1 m below the surface

Burrow structure: Several pop-hole entrances, chambers and tunnels

Social use: Small groups may use a burrow complex

  • Search for multiple entrances rather than relying on a single visible hole.
  • Map entrances, connecting runways and nearby low vegetation before grading or vehicle access.
  • Protect the ground surface above and between entrances because machinery can collapse tunnels without directly crossing a pop-hole.

Sheltering habitat: Survey and protection

Track surveys are useful where substrate allows tracks to be read. The species may be present at very low densities for extended periods during dry conditions, so a negative survey result should not be treated as proof that a site is unoccupied.

Use local knowledge, repeat surveys and targeted cameras or trapping where required by the project risk assessment and relevant approvals.

  • Survey in the early morning where possible, before wind and traffic obscure tracks.
  • Record fresh tracks, runways, tail marks, burrow entrances and signs of recent use.
  • Consult station staff, Traditional Owners and local trackers about previous records and seasonal activity.

Threats: Project impacts

The main documented pressures are habitat disturbance, introduced competitors and predation. Clearing and construction can directly remove gibber habitat, collapse burrows and interrupt movement between feeding and refuge areas.

Clearing, grading, trenching, road construction and temporary work areas can remove low chenopod and ephemeral plant habitat, destroy burrow entrances and compact soil used for burrowing.

Fragmentation of gibber plains can leave small habitat patches isolated from nearby claypans and seasonal food resources. The supplied documents do not provide a measured road mortality rate or a species-specific response to fragmentation.

  • Avoid clearing intact gibber plains and claypan margins where practical.
  • Keep access tracks, compounds and spoil stockpiles out of mapped burrow complexes.
  • Use staged clearing and a fauna spotter catcher where active signs are present.
  • Control vehicle speed and restrict night driving through occupied habitat where project approvals require it.

Threats: Predators and competitors

Foxes are identified as a threat through predation, and rabbits and house mice are identified as competitors. House mouse populations can increase rapidly after rain, potentially slowing recovery of hopping mice.

Cats and foxes are also identified as threats to hopping mice generally. Predator pressure may increase where clearing, roads, food waste or temporary camps make movement and hunting easier.

  • Do not leave food waste, grain or water sources that attract feral predators or introduced rodents.
  • Coordinate rabbit, cat and fox control with the land manager rather than undertaking unplanned control around the worksite.
  • Inspect disturbed areas for new predator access routes and introduced rodent activity.

Threats: Fire, grazing and climate

Excessive grazing by livestock and other herbivores can reduce vegetation cover and food resources. Weed invasion, including buffel grass in arid habitats generally, is identified as a threat to hopping mice.

Fire outside the local fire regime and changing rainfall, temperature and drought conditions may alter cover and food availability. No species-specific disease or hydrology threat is identified in the supplied documents.

  • Prevent unnecessary fire in retained gibber plain and chenopod habitat.
  • Manage weeds and grazing pressure in consultation with the land manager.
  • Do not divert drainage, concentrate runoff or pond water across burrow complexes or claypan margins.
  • Reinspect habitat after fire, flood or major earthworks because burrow entrances and tracks may be hidden or altered.

Survey methodology: 1. Site review and local consultation

Survey the Fawn Hopping Mouse where works may disturb gibber plains, claypans or nearby chenopod and ephemeral plant communities. It is nocturnal, uses deep burrows and may occur at low density during dry conditions, so combine consultation, track and sign searches with targeted detection methods.

Map gibber plains, claypans, low chenopod areas and adjacent habitats before selecting survey sites.

Consult local people, leaseholders, station staff and Indigenous knowledge holders about recent records, burrows, runways and seasonal activity.

Treat an absence of records cautiously because hopping mice can be difficult to detect during dry conditions.

Survey methodology: 2. Track, runway and burrow searches

Search for paired hind-foot prints, a possible ridge across the middle of each hind footprint, tail marks, runways and burrow entrances.

Inspect gibber flats and nearby claypans for burrow complexes with several pop-hole entrances leading to chambers and tunnels that may extend to about 1 metre below the surface.

Survey in the early morning where possible, when tracks are easier to identify, and avoid windy conditions or periods immediately after rain.

Record the location, substrate, habitat, direction of travel, number of runways and all burrow entrances.

Activity period: Nocturnal

Typical body size: About 12 cm head and body length, with a tail about 15 cm long

Typical mass: 30 to 50 g

Survey methodology: 3. Camera and sand-plot surveys

Place baited camera traps in suitable habitat, concentrating on well-used runways identified from track numbers.

Use sand trays or soil plots where the site lacks a sandy substrate, and inspect them for paired hopping tracks and tail marks.

Use morphological features as well as habitat when identifying records, because Fawn Hopping Mice may overlap with Dusky and Spinifex Hopping Mice.

Distinguish Fawn Hopping Mice from Dusky Hopping Mice by checking the throat pouch: it is well developed in both sexes of the Dusky Hopping Mouse but is less prominent and generally occurs on males in the Fawn Hopping Mouse.

Survey methodology: 4. Repeat surveys and seasonal coverage

For impact assessment or monitoring, repeat surveys at the same sites over several years where change over time must be measured.

Where practicable, schedule repeat visits before the wet or hot season, around October, and in the early dry or cool period, around April.

Do not use habitat type alone to rule out the species, because Fawn Hopping Mice may use adjacent claypans and other nearby open areas.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the methods and effort specified by the relevant state approval, survey brief or project conditions, because the supplied documents do not provide a species-specific number of nights, trap nights, camera hours, transect length or search area for the Fawn Hopping Mouse.
  • Record survey dates, start and finish times, weather, recent rain and wind, methods, effort, observers, habitat, tracks, burrows, camera results and identification confidence.
  • Submit confirmed records and useful negative survey information to the relevant South Australian wildlife database or other relevant state wildlife database for the project location.
  • Report records promptly to the project ecologist and environmental officer so that work limits and fauna controls can be reviewed.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoid disturbing occupied gibber plains and associated claypans wherever practicable. Plan the project around the species’ burrows, nocturnal activity and low detectability during dry periods.

  • Retain gibber plains with low chenopods and ephemeral plants, nearby claypans and the burrow complexes within them.
  • Retain connected areas of suitable open habitat around known burrows and runways, rather than isolating small patches.
  • Avoid placing spoil, compounds, access tracks or drainage works over burrow entrances, runways or areas with repeated track records.
  • Avoid unnecessary clearing of adjacent sandy areas that may provide digging habitat, even though the species is primarily associated with harder gibber plains.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

  • Check the current EPBC Act status before works commence; the supplied listing information states that the Fawn Hopping Mouse is not EPBC listed.
  • Check South Australian requirements because the supplied listing information identifies the species as Vulnerable in South Australia.
  • Obtain any required state permits, scientific licences, animal ethics approvals and landholder permissions before trapping, handling, relocating or otherwise interacting with the species.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that defines retained habitat, survey methods, exclusion areas, stop-work triggers, authorised handlers, reporting and response arrangements.
  • Schedule clearing outside periods of high activity or detectability risk where project approvals and ecological advice identify a suitable timing window, and stage works so retained habitat remains available.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance survey using track, sign, burrow and camera methods before machinery enters the work area.
  • Mark known burrows, runways, track concentrations, claypans, retained gibber habitat and no-go areas on plans and on the ground.
  • Use exclusion fencing or other clearly marked boundaries where they can prevent machinery and personnel entering retained habitat without blocking animal movement between retained areas.
  • Brief all workers on the species’ paired tracks, long tufted tail, nocturnal behaviour, burrow entrances and stop-work procedure.
  • Confirm the location of the nearest authorised wildlife carer, veterinarian and relevant government contact before clearing begins.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Use a staged, supervised clearing process. The fauna spotter catcher should work directly with the machine operator and stop the activity when burrows, tracks or animals are encountered.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, retained habitat boundaries, access routes and marked burrows before work starts each day.
  • Use a fauna spotter catcher in the active clearing area whenever vegetation, soil, spoil or burrow habitat is being disturbed.
  • Clear in stages towards retained habitat where this is safe and consistent with the approved fauna management plan.
  • Keep machinery out of marked burrow complexes, runways, claypans and retained gibber habitat unless the approved method specifically allows entry.
  • Record daily weather, work areas, machinery movements, fauna observations, incidents and any changes to controls.

During habitat disturbance: Burrows and habitat features

  • Treat every active-looking burrow complex, pop-hole, fresh track concentration and runway as occupied until an authorised ecologist determines otherwise.
  • Do not collapse, fill or excavate a burrow during active works unless the approved fauna procedure specifically addresses the risk and an authorised person is present.
  • Protect low chenopods, ephemeral plants and adjacent claypans from unnecessary vehicle traffic, dust, spoil and altered drainage.
  • Do not apply hollow-tree or nest-box procedures to this species unless another fauna species on the site requires them; the documented shelter feature for the Fawn Hopping Mouse is a deep burrow.

During habitat disturbance: If an animal is found

  • Stop machinery and people within the immediate risk area and allow the spotter catcher to assess the animal and its escape route.
  • Do not chase, handle or trap the animal unless the person is authorised under the relevant permit and project fauna management plan.
  • Keep the animal in a quiet, dark and secure container only for the minimum time needed for an authorised assessment or approved relocation.
  • If relocation is approved, release it into nearby retained habitat with suitable gibber, chenopod or ephemeral plant cover and no active machinery.
  • Take injured or heat-stressed animals to the nominated veterinarian or wildlife carer through the approved wildlife response process.
  • Resume work only after the authorised spotter catcher or ecologist confirms that the animal and any nearby burrow risk have been managed.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if a Fawn Hopping Mouse is found in the work area, if fresh tracks or an active burrow complex is exposed, or if exclusion fencing or another agreed control fails.
  • Stop work if the species cannot be reliably distinguished from a Dusky or Spinifex Hopping Mouse and the identification affects the approved management response.
  • Record the animal’s location, photographs where safe, habitat, burrow or runway details, action taken, handler, relocation point, injury status and release outcome.
  • Notify the project environmental officer and relevant authority when required by the permit, approval or fauna management plan.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Check the completed work area for residual fauna risk and confirm that retained habitat, burrows and access routes remain functional. Use the results to adjust controls and report records promptly.

  • Inspect the cleared edge, retained habitat and nearby burrow complexes after each clearing stage for trapped animals, damaged burrows, fresh tracks and blocked runways.
  • Check that spoil, fencing, vehicles and drainage works have not obstructed retained burrow entrances or movement routes.
  • Remove temporary hazards and repair or escalate damaged exclusion fencing before the next work stage.
  • Repeat track, sign or camera checks where a pre-clearance record showed Fawn Hopping Mouse activity.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and corrective action

  • Continue monitoring at the same sites when the project needs to measure change over time, using repeat visits and consistent methods.
  • Compare post-work records with pre-clearance records, while allowing for lower detectability during dry conditions.
  • Investigate any decline in tracks, burrow use or camera detections alongside rainfall, fire, grazing, weeds, predators and other changes that may affect activity.
  • Amend access controls, habitat retention or rehabilitation actions if monitoring identifies new disturbance to burrows, runways or suitable gibber habitat.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and approvals

  • Provide the final fauna report to the project approval holder, ecologist, fauna spotter catcher and relevant government agency where required.
  • Include maps of cleared and retained areas, survey effort, all records, incidents, relocations, injured animals, stop-work events and corrective actions.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database and retain the supporting photographs, coordinates and identification notes.
  • Complete any approved offset, compensatory habitat or management contribution required by the state approval.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitate disturbed habitat so that Fawn Hopping Mice can again use open gibber areas, nearby claypans and connected chenopod and ephemeral plant communities. Measure recovery with repeat track, burrow and camera surveys.

  • Reinstate the natural soil and gibber surface profile where it has been disturbed, avoiding unnecessary loose spoil across burrow entrances and runways.
  • Re-establish low chenopods and ephemeral plants suited to the local gibber plain and claypan community, using locally appropriate species and seed sources where available.
  • Keep rehabilitated areas open and connected to retained gibber habitat rather than creating dense barriers or isolated patches.
  • Do not install nest boxes as a substitute for burrows; provide suitable ground habitat and allow animals to excavate or reoccupy burrows where conditions permit.

Rehabilitation actions: Control threats

  • Control weed invasion, including buffel grass where it occurs, so that it does not replace the open plant communities used by the species.
  • Manage grazing by livestock and other herbivores to prevent excessive damage to chenopods, ephemeral plants, burrow entrances and recovering soil.
  • Apply feral cat and fox controls where they are approved and supported by the project or land manager.
  • Plan fire management to avoid inappropriate fire affecting recovering gibber, chenopod and ephemeral plant habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor success

  • Inspect rehabilitated areas after rain and during the planned October and April monitoring periods where those visits are suitable for the project.
  • Use consistent track searches, burrow inspections, sand plots and cameras to record recolonisation and compare results with nearby retained habitat.
  • Measure success by stable ground cover of locally appropriate chenopods and ephemeral plants, absence of persistent erosion or weed dominance, functional movement routes and repeated Fawn Hopping Mouse tracks, burrows or camera detections.
  • Continue maintenance and monitoring until the agreed rehabilitation criteria are met and report results through the project environmental reporting process.

Sources