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The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis), often referred to simply as the bilby since the lesser bilby (Macrotis leucura) became extinct in the 1950s, is an Australian species of nocturnal omnivorous animal in the order Peramelemorphia. Other vernacular names include dalgyte, pinkie, or rabbit-eared bandicoot. Greater bilbies live in arid areas of central Australia. Their range and population is in decline.
Once widespread in arid, semi-arid and relatively fertile areas, the bilby is now restricted to arid regions and remains a threatened species.It makes its home in a burrow that spirals down, making it hard for its predators to get in. The bilby prefers arid habitats because of the spinifex grass and the acacia shrubs.
Greater bilbies are generally solitary marsupials; however, there are some cases in which they travel in pairs. These pairs usually consist of two females, and these females are the sole caregivers of their offspring. The female bilby mates iteroparously. Much of the plant diet of the bilby is facilitated by fires that occasionally run through Australian regions and facilitate the regrowth of plants that the bilby prefers. They are also a highly motile species when it comes to foraging, with females traveling on average 1.5 km between burrows and male traveling up to 5 km. The difference in male and female motility is most likely due to the fact that males are often in search of mates and need to only care for themselves, while females are responsible for their offspring and must work to support them.Communication remains difficult between bilbies due to poor eyesight, but since these marsupials usually live alone or in very small groups, this obstacle is not incredibly formidable. Any communication that does occur is mostly olfactory between males or auditory. The scent markings implemented by male bilbies primarily function as a mode of communication between members of the same sex, since female bilbies rarely take heed of such signals and males are never aggressive towards their female counterparts.
• Bilbies are omnivores and eat small lizards, mice, spiders, insects, roots and seeds.
• Bilbies live in burrows that spiral into the ground that are up to 3m long and up to 2m deep.
• Bilbies are great at digging and have long scooped claws and very strong forelimbs to assist with moving a lot of soil.
• Bilbies block off their burrow during the day to keep it cool. ‘Closing the door’ also helps prevent unwanted guests from entering and interrupting their sleep.
• The bilby’s big ears help cool its body. The long ears have a lot of surface area which cools the blood passing through the many blood vessels close to the skin’s surface.
• Male bilbies weigh up to about 2.5kg with females averaging 1.5kg.
• Bilbies are one of the fastest breeding mammals on Earth with a 12- to 14-day pregnancy.
• Young emerge from the pouch and are independent at three months and can start breeding at approximately six months.
Bilbies are listed as Vulnerable on the #iucnredlist, but endangered, critically endangered and even extinct in certain states of Australia. Major threats to this species include predation by feral cats and foxes, competition with feral rabbits, and habitat destruction by hoof-stock such as cattle and sheep.
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►Music used in this video:
Barroom Ballet Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/)
Life of Riley - Kevin MacLeod
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