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I was asked the other day, “what does a Bilby look like?”… And after some thought, I came across the visualization of a bunny mixed with an anteater. A funny thought is it not? But after further research into this little critter, those physical characteristics became a clear necessity to their survival and to the survival of other Australian wildlife.
Before the 1950s there were two types of Bilby species living across Australia (the Greater Bilby and the Lesser Bilby). With the introduction of new animal species, such as feral cats and red foxes, the Lesser Bilby soon went extinct. With that loss, the Greater Bilby became more commonly known as the Bilby; and they now face the same threats. Not to mention the bushfires of 2019 continuing into 2020 have made the numbers and future of this animal unclear.
Bilbies have many physical features that stand out; large ears, long-pointed nose, long tail, and beautiful blue-grey fur. Bilbies don’t have great vision, so they use other senses to help them find food and get around. Their large ears are great for listening for predators and their impeccable sense of smell helps them find food. When they run, they keep their nose to the ground to help them navigate the desert lands and hunt. Bilbies are also nocturnal, which could be one of the reasons they don’t rely on their sight.
They measure up to 22 inches in length and their tails can reach up to 12 inches. Males (about 3-6lbs.) are also typically heavier than females (about 2-3lbs.).
In the wild Bilbies can live up to seven years. With this short lifespan, breeding is an important factor in their survival as a species. They can begin breeding from six months old with the ability to create up to eight young in one year! This is only possible due to the female’s quick gestation period (development time of young inside of their mother) of only 12-14 days. Bilbies are marsupials, meaning a mammal that carries their young in a pouch. The cool thing about Bilby’s pouches is they have a backward opening, which keeps soil from entering the pouch when the mother is digging.
Once the young (usually 2-3 young at a time) come out of their mother’s pouch they will stay inside a burrow for around 80 days before exploring the great outdoors. During those 80 days, the mother will work extra hard, digging new burrows, finding food, and regularly checking up on her joey (babies).
One of the things that are so incredible about this species is their digging capabilities and the benefit it brings to other Australian wildlife animals. This powerful digger creates spiral-shaped burrows about 10 feet long and 7 feet underground. They typically use 12 burrows at a time to dodge predators, rest during the day, and keep their young safe. Every few weeks they will dig new burrows so that other native animals can use their old burrows for homes. And the Bilbies don’t mind sharing, which is pretty cool! These burrows contain no nesting materials, but still, create a cozy and cool home for when temperatures rise. When they come home after a long night of searching for food or digging, they back-fill the hole (dig a wall between the entrance and them) to prevent predators from entering. Talk about smart and resourceful!
Bilbies are omnivores, meaning they eat plants and animals. Their diet mostly consists of seeds, insects, and fungi. They use their large ears, a keen sense of smell, and digging skills to find food. You’ll know you’re near a Bilby if you see lots of small holes scattered around an area. Once food has been discovered, it will use its skinny tongue to lick up their find, often intaking lots of sand as well but their internal body is designed to handle the matter.
But where do they get their water? Living in the hot, dry deserts of Australia, they find most of their water from food sources rather than drinking water.
It is so important that we protect this species! By helping the Bilby we are also helping birds, reptiles, and other mammals that use Bilby burrows for home and protection against the extreme desert heat, wildfires, and predators. Not only are they providing homes and protection for many species but their daily digging helps aerate the soil allowing plants to grow where otherwise they may not.
Back in 2014, Stuart Dawson, the lead author of Bilby studies, placed cameras outside of 127 Bilby burrows to see how many species used the burrows. After two years of study, they found that hundreds of birds, reptiles, and mammals entered. Equally out to 45 different species. “This study really highlights the fact that if you lose the micro-habitats that bilbies provide, other species in the ecosystem become more susceptible to predators, temperature extremes, and other forces,” says Brendan Wintle professor of conservation ecology at the University of Melbourne. (National Geographic: Meet the bilby, Australia’s own Easter Bunny)
You are the best! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤️