The family Dasyuridae, within the order Dasyuromorphia, comprises a diverse group of small- to medium-sized carnivorous marsupials native primarily to Australia and New Guinea. This family includes quolls, dunnarts, the Tasmanian devil, and the now-extinct thylacine. Dasyurids are characterized by their sharp teeth and strong jaws, adaptations for a diet of insects, small vertebrates, and carrion. They occupy a variety of habitats, from forests and grasslands to arid deserts, and exhibit a range of behaviors, including nocturnal hunting and burrowing. Many species play important ecological roles as predators of insects and small vertebrates, contributing to the balance of their ecosystems, while some are threatened due to habitat loss and introduced predators.