The male yellow-footed antechinus engages in such frenzied mating that its immune system becomes compromised, resulting in stress–related death before it is one year old.

The yellow-footed antechinus was described in 1838 by George Robert Waterhouse, referring to a specimen that was collected north of the Hunter River in New South Wales.

The author tentatively placed the new species with the genus Phascogale, based on similar dentition by reference to a description but without a skull for a closer comparison.

[3] The coloration is always slate grey at the head and shoulder, with a grizzled appearance that grades to russet or yellowish fur, pale at the chin and throat and a darker tone at the rump, flank, belly, leg and foot.

The yellow-footed antechinus occupies a variety of habitats, including dry arid scrubland[7] and sclerophyll forest.

Female A. flavipes vary their torpor use over the course of gestation (~28 days) and in response to adverse environmental conditions, likely to promote the healthy development of their young.