Date : March 22, 2024
Bilbies are gorgeous little Australian marsupials that look something like a mix between a rabbit and a bandicoot. Some experts say there could be less than 10,000 bilbies left in the wild which is why conservation efforts aim to protect this vulnerable species.
Also considered a uniquely Australian Easter representative, the bilby may not be as popular as some of our native animals, but we think they’re worth learning more about!
The Easter Bilby
Since the late 1960s, Australians have toyed with the idea of an Easter bilby replacing the traditional bunny. Where the bilby is native to our country, the rabbit is an introduced species which has become a pest that causes environmental damage to the Australian landscape.
Some chocolate companies sell Easter bilbies and donate proceeds to conservation efforts – so if you want to help save these little marsupials from extinction, swap your chocolate bunny for a bilby!
Five Interesting Bilby Facts
Bilbies are fascinating animals and yet they aren’t nearly as well-known as other marsupials like koalas or kangaroos. Here are a few things you might not know about our native Bilby!
1. Bilby is an Aboriginal word
The word bilby means “long-nosed rat” in the Yuwaalaraay language. However, bilbies are also known by their official name Greater bilby. Their scientific name is Macrotis lagotis.
2. Bilbies Are Losing Habitat
Bilbies are a highly adaptable species that can survive in harsh environments. Once upon a time, they could be found across 70% of the country. However, today they live in remote desert locations in Western Australia, western Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Habitat loss from farming, growing human populations, and introduced predators like cats and foxes have resulted in the bilby being classified as vulnerable.
3. They’re Omnivores Who Don’t Drink Water
With a lifespan of about 7 years, bilbies survive on insects (like termites and larvae), seeds, bulbs and fruit. They do not need to drink water as they get all the moisture they need from their diet, making them uniquely suitable for arid desert landscapes. They also have large radiator-like ears full of capillaries that cool their blood so they don’t need to sweat. They can run at speeds of up to 32 kilometres an hour.
4. They Dig Spiralling Burrows
Bilbies are expert burrowers. Their tunnelling skills enable them to create complex networks of burrows as deep as two metres below ground. These burrows have multiple exits to help them escape from predators and can also be spiral in shape to prevent bigger animals from entering. These tunnels can form community systems, with small groups of bilbies moving between burrows they’ve built to those built by others.
Females have backwards-facing pouches like wombats, to prevent their pouches from being filled with dirt as they burrow.
5. They’re Nocturnal Marsupials with Bad Eyesight
Bilbies have some very sharp senses that help them hunt and move around – but sight is not one of them! That’s okay though because they mainly come out at night when vision is low anyway. A keen sense of smell and hearing helps them navigate life in the Australian desert.
Celebrate this Easter with fun bilby crafts – find them here and here.
Librarian Bec
Right now, Librarian Bec’s hard at work at your local library, sharing a passion for reading with little people and big. Bec writes about inspiring little readers and embracing lovely literature.
