The Brown Antechinus is described as "a small carnivorous marsupial". In the feeding and diet section it states: "It is mostly nocturnal, coming out during the night to prey upon insects, spiders, centipedes and sometimes small reptiles and frogs." This directly characterises the species as a carnivore preying on invertebrates and small vertebrates.

The diet of A. stuartii was dominated by arthropods, particularly beetles, spiders, and lepidopteran larvae. Vertebrate material (mainly small skinks and occasionally small mammals) occurred infrequently, suggesting that the species is primarily insectivorous but opportunistically carnivorous on small vertebrates.

The study describes **Antechinus stuartii** and **Antechinus agilis** as "generalist carnivores" whose diets consist primarily of arthropod prey, mainly insects and other invertebrates. It notes that under lower rainfall conditions, "both species supplemented their diet with soft-bodied prey such as spiders, cockroaches and other arthropods," highlighting their carnivorous, invertebrate‑eating habits.

Analysis of faecal samples showed that A. stuartii consumed primarily insects, especially beetles (Coleoptera) and larvae (Lepidoptera), as well as spiders (Araneae) and other arthropods. Remains of small vertebrates, including skinks, were occasionally present, indicating opportunistic predation on small vertebrate prey.

This classic dietary study reports that **Antechinus stuartii** and **Antechinus swainsonii** feed mainly on invertebrate prey. It notes that their stomach contents were dominated by insects, including beetles (Coleoptera), moth and butterfly larvae (Lepidoptera), and other arthropods, and concludes that these morphologically distinct predators "appear to be opportunistic feeders" on available animal prey.

The abstract refers to Antechinus species as "generalist carnivores" and notes that diet was assessed from scats of two species, Antechinus agilis and A. stuartii. It reports that both species consumed a range of invertebrate prey groups, for example: "stuartii consumed more Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera and Isopoda," reflecting a varied arthropod-based diet.

In the study‑species description, the authors state: "**Antechinus stuartii** is a terrestrial to semi‑arboreal dasyurid marsupial that inhabits forest and heathland in eastern Australia." They further describe its feeding ecology: "It is insectivorous, feeding mainly on beetles, spiders and cockroaches." This explicitly identifies beetles and spiders as principal prey items.

Analysis of stomach contents of **Antechinus minimus maritimus** showed that the species "fed predominantly on invertebrates," with insects forming the bulk of the diet. The authors report that beetles (Coleoptera), spiders (Araneae), and other arthropods were common prey categories, and that plant material was negligible, supporting its classification as a small carnivorous/insectivorous marsupial.

This paper on prey selection by **Antechinus stuartii** reports that the species is a "small carnivorous marsupial" whose diet is dominated by arthropods. Quantitative analysis showed high frequencies of beetles (Coleoptera), spiders (Araneae), moth and butterfly larvae (Lepidoptera), and other insect orders in fecal and stomach samples, indicating a strongly insectivorous and arthropod‑based diet.

Under the Diet section it states: "Antechinus are mainly insectivorous, but the exact composition of their diet can vary by species and habitat." It notes that they "mainly eat beetles, insect larvae and spiders" and also take amphipods, millipedes and centipedes. It further reports: "It has been reported that Antechinus also eat vertebrates, mainly small reptiles, such as skinks, or mammals, such as feathertail gliders," especially when food-stressed.

The article explains that antechinus, also known as a marsupial mouse, is "this small carnivorous marsupial" that "snacks on insects, reptiles, and sometimes even mice." It adds: "An antechinus generally eats only insects, but sometimes they can also snack on flowers, nectar, spiders, cockroaches, lizards, small birds and even mice." This lists insects, spiders, lizards and other small animals as part of the diet.

The council page clarifies that "antechinus are actually small carnivorous marsupials that belong to a family of native animals known as dasyurids". In describing their scats it notes: "This animals’ diet consists of insects (including spiders and cockroaches), small lizards and berries." This provides direct evidence they eat insects, spiders, cockroaches and small lizards.

Britannica describes antechinuses as "small carnivorous marsupials" of the family Dasyuridae. It notes that they are "insectivorous", feeding mostly on insects and other small invertebrates that they search for on the ground and in vegetation.

Under Food Habits, the account states: "The diet of Antechinus stuartii consists primarily of invertebrates, particularly beetles, spiders, and cockroaches." It continues: "Their diet also includes smaller amounts of vertebrates, such as placental mice, as well as plant material and flower pollen." The species is described as having a high metabolism and being a "voracious predator" that in winter "will consume as much as 60 percent of their weight in arthropods each day."

The article identifies the animal as "an antechinus, a small native carnivorous marsupial." It states about their diet: "Their diet primarily consists of insects however they can also eat other small animals such as lizards, birds and mice." It also notes that some "have been known to eat flowers and fruit," indicating a mainly animal-based but somewhat flexible diet.

Naturalist Tanya Loos writes: "The antechinus is a carnivorous marsupial, in the same family as the Tassie Devil, quolls and the rat-sized Brush-tailed Phascogale." She contrasts them with omnivorous rats, noting: "Agile Antechinus, on the other hand are insectivores – they eat mostly insects, with hard chitinous exoskeletons." This supports that they are carnivores whose diet is dominated by insects.

The account describes Antechinus as belonging to the Family Dasyuridae, which includes carnivorous marsupials. It notes that members of this genus are primarily insectivorous, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates, and may take small vertebrate prey. This situates them ecologically as small carnivores specializing on insect prey.

This peer‑reviewed study on Antechinus stuartii reports that analysis of stomach and faecal contents showed a diet dominated by insects and other arthropods, including beetles, spiders and various larvae. It notes occasional consumption of small vertebrates, confirming that the species is primarily insectivorous but opportunistically carnivorous on small animals.

The Australian Faunal Directory entry for the genus Antechinus places it within the family Dasyuridae, a group characterised as small to medium-sized carnivorous marsupials. Members of Antechinus are noted in taxonomic and ecological notes as predominantly insectivorous, preying on invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates.

The agile antechinus is a carnivorous nocturnal marsupial in the family dasyuridae, much like the Eastern Quoll. Their preferred diet includes insects and other invertebrates, though they have also been known to eat small lizards and soft berries.

Agile antechinuses are carnivores (insectivores). They feed mostly on invertebrates, including beetles, spiders and cockroaches, but may also devour small lizards and soft berries.

Antechinus are active, carnivorous marsupials which forage through leaf litter and rotting logs. Their diet consists largely of insects and other small invertebrates, but they will also eat small lizards and occasionally other small animals if the opportunity arises.

The Dusky Antechinus is an insectivorous marsupial. It eats spiders, beetles and other insects and occasionally small lizards and frogs.

Field guides and mammalogy texts commonly describe antechinuses (often called marsupial mice) as small dasyurid marsupials that are primarily insectivorous but broadly carnivorous. They are reported to eat insects, spiders, beetles, and other arthropods, and to take small lizards and other tiny vertebrates opportunistically, fitting the profile of a small carnivorous marsupial.