Greater bilby  (Macrotis lagotis)

Biology

Greater bilbies are nocturnal and spend the day in burrows that spiral into the ground (7). These burrows can be as much as 3 metres long (7) and each individual may use up to a dozen burrows with one entrance each (6). Bilbies are predominantly solitary animals, with the exception of when they are breeding, which can occur at any time of the year (2). After a gestation period of roughly two weeks, females give birth to a litter of 1 to 2 young, who are born at an immature stage of development and then stay in the backwards-facing pouch for around 80 days (2).

Bilbies are omnivores and uncover food by digging with their front feet. They eat a range of food including insects, bulbs and fungi (6). Obtaining all the moisture they require from their diet, these animals do not need to drink (5).

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