Northern Bettong

About the Northern Bettong

The northern bettong (Bettongia tropica) is a small, endangered, rabbit-sized mammal native to forests in northeast Australia. A member of the rat-kangaroo family (Potoroidae), it moves by hopping and shelters in a concealed nest by day, feeding at night on roots and fungi. It is also a marsupial and carries its young in a pouch. The northern bettong is threatened by habitat loss, and is now restricted to a few small areas.

The northern bettong is restricted to some areas of mixed open Eucalyptus woodlands and Allocasuarina forests bordering rainforests in far northeastern Queensland, Australia. The typical bettong lives in the wild for about 4 to 6 years. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoologist, they can, under proper care, live up to the age of 15 years.

All species of the bettong are nocturnal. They carry nesting materials with their long tails and can be found in burrows that they escape to during the day. They like to feed at night and their range of food varies. They rarely drink water, and refrain from eating any green plants. They primarily seek fungus and plants such as mushrooms, tubers, scrubs, fruits and seeds. They use... Wikipedia →