Burrowing bettong  (Bettongia lesueur)

Description

The burrowing bettong is a marsupial and the only burrowing member of the kangaroo family (4) (5) though, as its other common name, the Lesueur’s rat kangaroo, indicates, it actually bears some resemblance to a rat. Originally there were two subspecies, Bettongia lesueur graii and Bettongia lesueur nova, though the former subspecies is now Extinct (1). Like a kangaroo, it has well developed, muscular hind limbs and short muscular forearms. The head is small with a pointed muzzle, short rounded ears and beady black eyes (6). This mammal is covered in short dense hair which is brown to grey in colour, and has been described as ‘woolly’ as its hair is softer than that of other bettong species. Burrowing bettongs also bear a faint hip stripe on the body and a distinctive white tail-tip (2).

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