The Ningbing antechinus is similar in general coloration and form but is smaller, and its tail is longer and has long hairs covering the base. Females have six mammae. P. macdonnellensis is found mainly on rocky hills and breakaways but also lives in termite mounds in some areas. It is predominantly nocturnal but may emerge from shelter among the rocks to sunbathe. The diet consists mainly of insects.
Females produce a single litter of up to six young annually.
Mating occurs in winter and spring, and the young are born from July to September. Sexual maturity is attained in the first year of life, and both sexes may survive to breed in more than one year.