The Kultarr is adapted to living in open country, including stony and sandy plains with sparse shrubs and grasses. Brice et al. (2012) found that it avoids complex vegetation structure at the habitat and microhabitat scale. In some studies it becomes less common after significant rainfall increases vegetation cover (Woolley 1984; Owens 1997). It has been found sheltering in logs and stumps, beneath saltbush tussocks and spinifex (Triodia) hummocks and in deep cracks at the base of shrubs. It also shelters in other animals’ burrows including those of trapdoor spiders, hopping-mice, agamid lizards and goannas. In captivity it has been observed to dig shallow burrows and cover the entrance with grass. A burrow excavated in northern South Australia was 500 mm long and only 50 mm deep, making it vulnerable to damage by vehicles or stock. Brice et al. (2012) located five burrows in gibber habitat in spring by radio-tracking; four were of narrow diameter and shallow, only slightly larger than the body of the occupying Kultarr, and one was apparently an abandoned burrow of a larger animal. Burrows were >50 m apart. Daily home ranges overlapped little with neighbours, although different animals sometimes used the same burrow on different days.

The Kultarr is nocturnal and carnivorous; its diet includes arthropods such as spiders, crickets and grasshoppers (Valente 2008). Animals released with transmitters at Wire Creek Bore, Macumba Station, northern South Australia, moved up to 400 – 940 m over four days (Owens 1997). Brice et al. (2012) observed radio-collared Kultarrs moving up to 500 m a night while hunting actively in clearings.

The Kultarr is widespread in arid and semi-arid Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales; however, it is presumed extinct in southern New South Wales (Valente 2008). It has declined historically, with apparent loss of populations in the Gulf hinterland region of the Northern Territory (Parker 1973) and losses or marked reductions in southern New South Wales, Victoria and south-eastern South Australia (Dickman et al. 1993).  However, there is no evidence of decline in the 10-year period relevant to this assessment.

There is a need to develop trapping techniques to permit effective survey and monitoring of the species. Other conservation measures should include implementing long-term monitoring to validate adequacy of conservation measures; collate distribution data; identify and determine the status of the species across its range; construct habitat model to more accurately determine extent of source and sink habitat available to the Kultarr, identify patches and allow monitoring of the changes in habitat quality, particularly due to excessive flooding and grazing. There is a need to study home range, movement, habitat and food requirements in the field if a population can be located for a 3-5 year population study. Also, measures should include establishing adequate reserves and appropriate management inside and outside the reserve system (Maxwell et al. 1996).