Endangered Bandicoots

There are two types of bilbies in the world. The lesser bilby, thought to extinct, used to live in central Australia but due to introduction of foxes and other animals they have probably died out. The greater bilby, now endangered, is also affected by the foxes.

Bilbies are native animals of Australia and, like most other native animals, can’t handle foxes. They are truly nocturnal and won’t come out even when there is a slit of sunshine. They are excellent diggers but prone to fires, hurt by strong wind or rain. Before introduction of foreign animals, the bilby only had one type of predator, the eagles.  

The lesser bilby was last seen in the 1960’s. It used to live in central Australia and was an omnivore. Some of the things it ate larvae, seeds, insects and worms. The females usually weighed half the weighed of the males. They dig tunnels in spirals which are two meters down and may have up to 12. The greater bilby is just like the lesser bilby only bigger and still alive. The greater bilby is the largest bandicoot with a body of 55cm and a tail of 25cm.

What can you do to help the bilby?

·         Donate to charity

·         Get people to be aware of the bilby

·         Help pay for bilby area fencing

·         Adopt a bilby

·         Become part of a group of people which appreciate bilbies.

·         Visit zoo’s and conservation programs

·         Try a petition on saving native animals.