New Holland Mouse
Conservation Status: Endangered
Meet the New Holland Mouse
The New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae), also known as the Pookila, is a small, social rodent native to southeastern Australia. With soft grey-brown fur and a dusky-brown tail that’s longer than its body, it resembles the common house mouse but has larger eyes and ears, and lacks the distinctive “mousy” odour.
This species inhabits open heathlands, woodlands with a heath understorey, coastal sand dunes, and open forests. It digs burrows in soft soil and lives in small social groups, emerging at night to forage for seeds, leaves, fungi, and invertebrates.
Once widespread along the coast of eastern Australia, the New Holland Mouse has suffered severe population contractions. Today, it survives in scattered and isolated populations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania.
Did you know?
- The New Holland Mouse is a natural ecosystem engineer, turning over soil as it digs and helping disperse seeds and fungi.
- Populations often peak just a few years after fire when vegetation regrowth provides ideal food and shelter.
- They are nocturnal and secretive, which means even healthy populations are rarely seen.
Why They’re at Risk
- Habitat Loss & Fragmentation: Clearing for agriculture, urban development, and roads has destroyed large areas of suitable habitat.
- Fire Regimes: The species thrives in young, regenerating vegetation that follows fire. In the absence of fire or when fires are too frequent or intense, habitats become unsuitable.
- Introduced Predators & Competitors: Feral cats, foxes, and invasive rodents prey on and compete with New Holland Mice. Feral herbivores degrade habitat and disturb burrows.
- Small, Isolated Populations: With small, scattered colonies, they are vulnerable to genetic inbreeding and sudden local extinction events.
Aussie Ark’s Conservation Work
Aussie Ark is stepping up to protect the New Holland Mouse, building secure populations and preparing the species for a return to the wild.
- Wild Trapping & Captive Breeding: Following a successful trapping season in May, new wild specimens have been brought into the breeding program to strengthen genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding risk.
- Insurance Populations: We maintain healthy, genetically managed populations in captivity to safeguard the species while habitat restoration and reintroduction efforts progress.
- Rewilding into Safe Sanctuaries: Plans are in place to rewild New Holland Mice into monitored reserves where they can thrive alongside other threatened species.
Through these actions, Aussie Ark is giving the New Holland Mouse the chance to recover and once again play its role in Australia’s ecosystems.
How You Can Help
You can make a real difference! At Aussie Ark, we’re working tirelessly to protect Australia’s unique wildlife and restore their habitats. From Tasmanian Devils to Eastern Quolls, your support helps us care for endangered animals and preserve the beauty of our native bushland.
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Every dollar you give goes directly toward creating safe havens, providing medical care, and ensuring these amazing creatures have a future.
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Adopt
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Find out more about how we’re helping the New Holland Mouse
Aussie Ark is stepping up to protect Australia’s wildlife at a time when it has never been more urgent. From building predator-proof sanctuaries and restoring vital habitats, to running world-leading breeding programs and reintroducing animals back into the wild, we are giving threatened species a fighting chance. Every action we take is about safeguarding the future of these animals and ensuring Australia’s unique wildlife can thrive for generations to come.
Get involved and support our mission
Shop, adopt, or experience the Sanctuary for yourself through one of our educational tour experiences. Get involved today, and help us work towards a better tomorrow.
