Planigale tenuirostris occupies inland SE Australia. (Painter et
al, 1995) P. tenuirostris lives in low shrubland and tussock
grassland with cracking clay soils. It lives in the deepest
realms of the soil cavities and occasionally emerges at the
surface . (Moss, 1988) Preferred habit is away from water in
more open, less densely vegetated areas. (Read, 1987) P.
tenuirostris is a rodent-like marsupial. It is small when
compared to other Planigale spp. It has a flat skull that can be
used for shoveling (Painter et al, 1995). The fur is brownish,
but breeding males have fur discoloration (Read, 1987). The
female P. tenuirostris has 12 teats and a pouch. Estrus in
females lasts 1 day and the estrus cycle is 33 days. In males,
spermatogenesis occurs in July and aspermatogenesis occurs the
following March. The breeding season coincides with increases in
food availability during the spring and summer. (Read, 1984)
Young P. tenuirostris detach from the teats at 36 days. The eyes
open at 51 days. and weaning occurs at