 |
Greater Bilby/ Western Bilby/Rabbit-eared Bandicoot/ Dalgyte Macotis lagotis Vulnerable |
|
The EPBC list the Bilby as
vulnerable The Lesser Bilby Macrotis Leucura is extinct. The Bilby is approx 30cm-55cm in length from the tip of the head to the body. Their tails are approx 20cm-29cm long. They weigh from 800grams-2.4kilos. Bilbies are nocturnal Bilbies have a rear facing pouch like a bandicoot.
|
Photographed at the Western Australian Museum |
|
Habitat
|
Bilbies are now only found in the Tanami Desert west - near Broome and south to Warburton in Western Australia. They live in acacia shrublands and hummock grasslands. They dig long burrows where they sleep in the day to avoid the heat and are usually solitary animals living alone. This photograph was take near Rabbitflat which is in the NT 127km from the WA/NT boarder. I don't know if the Bilby lives here. There is different vegetation as you go through the Tanami Desert it can change quite quickly. |
|
Upper jaw was 11.5cmL x 5.3cmW The upper jaw has a total of 8-10 upper incisors, 2 canines, 6
premolars, 8 molars |
Lower jaw The lower jaw has a total of 6 lower incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, 8 molars.
|
|
© Museum Victoria Australia 2005 Permission is granted to reproduce this image for non commercial websites.
|
|
|
Tracks The Bilby has a cantering gait. Its 2nd and 3rd toe are joined together. This is called syndactylous as seen in the photograph on the right of a young Southern Brown Bandicoot. (a cousin to the Bilby) |
|
|
Photographed at Barna Mia at Dryandra Woodlands WA |
Burrow The Bilby digs a burrow whereas the other Bandicoots don't. When the Bilby is away from the burrow doing collecting food it leaves the burrow open, when its home it digs in dirt to block the entrance. The burrows are mostly found in clay pans and not sand. |
|
What does it eat? It is omnivorous eating insects and their larvae which swell in numbers after rain; seeds, bulbs, fungi and fruit. They will shift to other areas to find food. This large grasshopper was seen east of Marble Bar after rain. |
|
|
Scats Anywhere from 20%-90% of Bilby scats can be sand which is swallowed when eating seeds off the ground.
A great place to see the Bilby living in as much of a natural habitat as possible is at Dryandra Woodlands at their enclosure called Barna Mia. You have to book and pay to get in but its well worth it as you could also see the Western Barred Bandicoot, Boodies, Bandicoots, Woylies etc (no flash photography allowed in here). http://www.cuballing.wa.gov.au/attractions/barna_mia.html |
Photographed at Barna Mia at Dryandra Woodlands WA |
|
Text: University of Michigan |
