Subphylum Vertebrata Scientific name Notomys robustus | Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
Similar Long‑tailed hopping mouse, Big‑eared hopping mouse, Gould's mouse, Oriente cave rat, White‑footed rabbit‑rat | ||
The great hopping mouse (Notomys robustus) is extinct. It is known only from skulls found in owl pellets in the Flinders Ranges. Some pellets also include bones of the introduced house mouse—indicating that it survived into historic times, possibly the second half of the 19th century. From the skull, it appears to have been relatively large (perhaps the size of N. amplus or a little more) and to have escaped collection by early 19th century naturalists by chance. From the location of the deposits it is assumed that it preferred clay rather than sandy soils. It is notable that very few of the clay-living hopping mice have survived European settlement, sand dunes apparently providing a more secure refuge from competitors and predators. It is also commonly known as the broad-cheeked hopping mouse.