Kakarratul spotted: Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Rangers encounter rare marsupial mole in Martu Ngurra

Aboriginal Rangers have documented an exciting encounter with a rare mole deep in the Western Desert.

Spotted less than 10 times in the last decade, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Rangers have now been lucky enough to come face to face with the elusive Kakarratul twice in the last six months.

The small marsupials with golden-brown, silky hair are rarely spotted by humans and live deep in the dunes of the Western and Central Deserts, spending most of their time underground to avoid predators.

Burrowing deep into the sand, Kakarratul’s are known to ‘swim’ through the soil which is then packed in behind them, leaving no empty tunnel.

KJ Rangers posted a picture of the curious-looking animal on social media this week, and said despite being blind, the Kakarratul expertly navigates the underground and use their calloused nose and forehead as a ram to burrow.