The Collaborative International Dictionary
Quoll \Quoll\ (kw[o^]l), n. (Zo["o]l.) A marsupial of Australia ( Dasyurus macrurus), about the size of a cat.
Wiktionary
n. Any of the various carnivorous marsupials of the genus ''Dasyurus'' found in Australia and New Guinea, roughly the size of a cat.
Wikipedia
The quoll (; genus Dasyurus) is a carnivorous marsupial native to mainland Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania. It is primarily nocturnal and spends most of the day in its den. Of the six species of quoll, four are found in Australia and two in New Guinea. Another two species are known from fossil remains in Pliocene and Pleistocene deposits in Queensland. Genetic evidence indicates that the quoll evolved around 15 million years ago in the Miocene, and that the ancestors of the six species had all diverged by around four million years ago. The quoll species vary in weight and size, from to . They have brown or black fur and pink noses. They are largely solitary, but come together for a few social interactions such as mating which occurs during the winter season. A female gives birth to up to 18 puppies, of which only six survive to suckle on her teats.
The quoll eats smaller mammals, small birds, lizards, and insects. Its natural lifespan is between two and five years. All species have drastically declined in numbers since Australasia was colonised by Europeans, with one species, the eastern quoll, becoming extinct on the Australian mainland, now being found only in Tasmania. Major threats to their survival include the cane toad, predators, urban development, and poison baiting. Conservation efforts include breeding programs in captivity.
Usage examples of "quoll".
Approaching Quoll, he looked up at the new man, whose countenance seemed fixed in a perpetual glare.
As he did so, Quoll darted with astonishing speed to intercept him, the lethal business end of the mace rising high above his head.
Samm unleashed one swing of his colossal axe, forcing the morggunt carrying Quoll to back air.
A deliberate hand held out before him, Quoll slowly advanced on the moonbow.
Sitting down on a rock and tucking his legs beneath him, a thoughtful Quoll sat as still as he was able and contemplated the enigmatic moonbow.
This somewhat intimidating maw was lined with slender, needle-like teeth that made those of the quoll look blunt.
Like his animal self, the quoll was in constant motion, willing landlord of a metabolism set permanently on overdrive.
Ignoring the curious gnome, Quoll kept his attention focused on Oskar.
A big snake like Samm would readily and easily have made a quick meal of an incautious quoll, sharp teeth and uncommon energy notwithstanding.
Raising his lethal right hand, the quoll took a threatening step forward.
For their part, Quoll and his companions likewise stared and listened uncertainly.
The resultant involuntary cackle caused the quoll to clutch at his middle and bend double with laughter while crumpling to the ground.
Were Quoll and his vampiric companions even now being well and thoroughly marigolded by Nugwot and his followers, or had they managed to break free, and were they at this very moment racing through the forest to overtake their fleeing quarry?
In a fever of triumphant excitement, Quoll danced and darted back and forth in front of the crestfallen captives.
Whiskers quivering violently, a furious Quoll rose on hind legs at the back of the chamber.